L 


SERVICES 


DEDICATION  OF  THE  SCHOOL  HOUSE 


ERECTED   BY   THE 


of  tb*  f$m0 


AT 


NEWPORT,    RHODE   ISLAND, 


3Oth,   1863, 


WITH  AN   APPENDIX. 


NEWPORT: 

PRINTED    BY    PRATT    &    MESSER, 
1863. 


ADDRESSES 


OF 


W  I  L  L  I  A.  M     C.     OOZZENS, 

Governor  of  JRhode  Island. 


WILLIAM    H.    CRANSTON, 

Mayor  of  Newport, 


A.    HENRY   DUMONT, 

Chairman  of  the  Public  School  Committee, 


HENRY    ROUSMANIERE, 

Public  School  Commissioner. 


Delivered  at  the  dedication  of  the  "  Trustees  of  the  Long 
Wharf  School  House/'  on  the  20th  of  May,  1863,' 


22 


THE  BOARD  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  LONG  WHARF, 


ANNUAL  MEETING  APRIL  13™,  1863, 


WITH    THE   DATE    OP    THEIR   ELECTION. 


1.   Edw'd  W.  Lawton,  1822.      11.   John  D.  Northam, 


2. 
3, 
4. 
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 


John  Stevens, 
George  Bo  wen, 
Isaiah  Crooker, 
John  Y.  Hammett, 
Benjamin  Finch, 
William  Sherman, 
Samuel  Engs, 
George  G.  King,- 
Win.  C.  Cozzens, 


1822. 
1829. 

11. 
12. 

1829. 

13. 

1831. 

14. 

1833. 

15. 

1837. 

16. 

1837. 

17. 

1842. 

18. 

1845. 

19. 

1846. 

20. 

David  G.  Cook, 
Samuel  Brown, 
Charles  D  evens, 
Robert  Sherman, 
Robert  S.  Barker, 
David  J.  Gould, 
Samuel  Allen, 
Chas.  E.  Hammett, 
Seth  W.  Macy, 


21.    Charles  E.  Hammett,  Jr.,  1863. 


1847. 
1847, 
1847, 
1849, 
1849. 
1855. 
1855. 
1856. 
1862, 
1862. 


DAYID  G.  COOK,  Chairman. 
JOHN  STEVENS,  Secretary  and  Treasurer. 
DAVID  G.  COOK* and  ROBERT  SHERMAN,  Auditors. 

GEORGE  BOWEN,  WILLIAM  SHERMAN,  WM.  C.  COZZENS, 

Committee  on  Repairs  of  Wharf. 

SAMUEL  ENGS,  DAVID  J.  GOULD,  and  ROBERT  SHERMAN, 

Building  Committee  of  New  School  House. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf  in  Newport,  having  leased 
their  wharf  to  the  Newport  &  Fall  River  Railroad  Company, 
who  are  now  constructing  a  road  from  Newport  to  Fall  River, 
to  connect  with  the  Old  Colony  Railroad  to  Boston,  granting 
them  for  one  hundred  years  (or  more,)  the  entire  use  and  con- 
trol of  said  wharf,  upon  certain  liberal  conditions,  specified  in 
contract  (see  Appendix);  it  seems  a  proper  time  for  the 
Trustees  to  make  a  permanent  and  substantial  demonstration 
towards  carrying  out  that  portion  of  the  original  designs  of  the 
Trust,  in  its  formation  in  the  year  1795,  by  erecting  a  Public 
School  House  and  placing  it  in  charge  of  the  City  Government. 

In  accordance  therewith,  they  have  erected  a  very  fine,  sub- 
stantial edifice  on  the  corner  of  Third  and  Willow  Streets,  in 
the  first  ward. 

The  lot  upon  which  the  building  stands  is  one  hundred  feet 
square.  The  building  fronts  on  Willow  Street  and  measures 
fifty-four  feet  on  that  street,  and  forty  feet  on  Third  Street.  It 
is  built  of  pressed  brick,  the  foundation  and  trimmings  being  of 
freestone,  two  stories  high,  with  slate  roof,  making  it  fire  proof, 
and  of  the  most  substantial  character.  The  principal  room  in 
each  story  is  fourteen  feet  in  the  clear  and  thirty-six  and  a  half 
feet  square,  each  room  having  seats  for  one  hundred  scholars, 
with  ample  room  for  all  other  purposes.  There  is  also  a  recita- 

M185459 


6  .  INTRODUCTION. 

tion  room  in  each  story  eleven  by  nineteen  feet,  amply  provided 
with  seats,  &c.  The  rooms  are  well  ventilated  and  very  light, 
the  windows  being  large,  with  glass  three  feet  by  two  and  a 
half.  The  halls  and  stairways  are  large  and  commodious.  The 
furniture  is  of  modern  pattern,  black  walnut,  and  the  seats  and 
desks  have  iron  ends.  In  the  basement,  which  is  ten  feet  in 
height,  there  is  a  good  well  of  water,  the  floor  is  composed  of 
concrete,  well  under-drained  and  perfectly  dry.  The  apparatus 
for  heating  the  building  with  steam  is  in  the  basement,  and  the 
heat  is  conducted  through  the  building  by  pipes  which  are  invis- 
ible, as  they  are  placed,  between  the  ceiling  and  outside  walls. 

The  architect  was  George  C.  Mason,  the  masonry  was  by 
John  Freeborn,  carpentering  by  Philip  Simmons,  painting  by 
George  W.  Green  &  Co.,  and  the  furnishing  by  Ernest  Goffe. 

The  building  being  completed  and  ready  for  occupancy  on  the 
first  of  June,  the  Trustees  had  previously  voted  that  a  celebra- 
tion of  the  Trust  and  a  dedication  of  the  building  should  be 
observed  with  appropriate  ceremonies.  Whereupon  His  Excel- 
lency, William  C.  Cozzens,  Governor  of  the  State  (one  of  the 
Trustees),  was  invited  to  deliver  an  address,  commemorative  of 
the  event,  placing  the  property  in  the  hands  of  the  Mayor  and 
City  Council.  David  G.  Cook,  Esq.,  Chairman  of  the  Board, 
was  invited  to  prepare  an  abstract  from  the  records  of  the 
Trustees,  to  accompany  the  address,  in  pamphlet  form,  as  an 
appendix;  and  Wednesday,  May  20th,  1863,  was  appointed  for 
the  celebration.  The  Building  Committee,  Messrs.  Samuel 
Engs,  David  J.  Gould  and  Robert  Sherman,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  Charles  E.  Hammett,  Jr.,  were  appointed  to  make  the 
necessary  arrangement  for  the  celebration,  all  which  was  done 
in  an  admirable  manner ;  and  to  accommodate  a  larger  audience 
than  the.  commodious  room  on  the  lower  floor  would  seat,  a 
platform  was  erected  outside  the  building,  connected  with  the 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

middle  window,  covered  and  decorated  with  our  country's  flag ; 
the  yard  was  filled  with  benches,  and  at  two  o'clock  a  large 
assemblage  of  people  were  present  to  witness  the  ceremonies. 
The  inside  of  the  house  was  occupied  by  the  City  Council,  the 
School  Committee,  Clergy  of  the  city,  Teachers  of  the  Public 
Schools,  and  many  others,  while  a  large  number  were  seated  on 
the  outside,  in  the  yard,  and  in  the  streets  adjoining ;  the  speak- 
ers and  the  reporters  occupying  the  platform.  - 

At  3  o'clock  the  assembly  was  called  to  order  by  David  G. 
Cook.  Esq.,  and  a  most  impressive  and  appropriate  prayer  was 
offered  by  the  Reverend  Charles  T.  Brooks. 

Governor  Cozzens  then  delivered  his  address.  The  Chairman 
of  the  Board  of  Trustees  presented  the  keys  to  His  Honor,  the 
Mayor,  who  responded  and  then  presented  the  keys,  with  an 
appropriate  address,  to  the  Chairman  of  the  School  Committee. 
Doctor  Dumont  responded,  after  which  Henry  Rousnianiere, 
Esq.,  State  School  Commissioner,  made  an  address,  and  with  a 
benediction  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  S.  Child,  Rector  of  Zion  Church, 
these  interesting  services  were  brought  to  a  close.  The  day 
was  beautiful,  and  all  present  were  able  to  hear  the  speakers 
and  highly  gratified  with  this  valuable  addition  to  our  school 
accommodations. 


GOV.  COZZENS'  ADDRESS. 


Mr.  Chairman}  Mr.  Mayor,  and  Fellow- Citizens : 

We  have  assembled  this  day,  in  and  around  this  new  and 
beautiful  building,  to  dedicate  it  to  the  sacred  cause  of  learning ; 
to  celebrate  a  Trust,  conceived  in  the  heart  and  mind  of 
the  merchants  and  philanthropists  in  the  earlier  days  of  our 
history.  They  have  indeed  passed  away,  and  now  slumber  in 
yonder  resting  place,  amid  the  countless  throng  who  have  gone 
before  us. 

It  is  right  and  proper  that  we  should  make  this  occasion  one 
of  general  interest  and  rejoicing ;  not  only  for  the  object  itself, 
but  that  we  should,  in  thought  and  feeling,  go  back  through  gen- 
erations of  our  ancestors,  and  stir  up  in  our  minds  the  noble 
deeds  which  actuated  them. 

The  history  of  Newport  is  full  of  the  reminiscences  of  the 
past,  occupying,  as  it  does,  this  portion  of  our  beautiful  island, 
from  which  the  State  takes  it  name.  We  grew  up  and  flourished 
under  our  colonial  connection  with  Great  Britain,  more  prosper- 
ously than  any  of  her  towns  or  provinces.  T0ur  great  and  ac- 
knowledged natural  advantages  for  trade  .and  commerce,  our 
splendid  harbor  and  bay,  our  proximity  to  the  ocean,  ease  of 
access  with  every  wind  and  tide,  have  been  the  admiration  of 
all  time  and  of  all  nations,  and  are,  even  at  this  day,  almost 
beyond  comparison. 


ADDRESS.  9 

One  hundred  years  ago,  Newport  was  approaching  her  zenith, 
with  a  large  and  flourishing  commerce,  numberless  manufac- 
tories, a  great  domestic  and  foreign  trade,  with  merchant 
princes  that  outvied  all  other  places  on  this  Western  Continent, 
the  seat  of  learning  and  refinement;  indeed,  with  every  ele- 
ment to  make  a  great,  prosperous,  and  flourishing  community. 
As  far  back  as  the  year  1729,  the  celebrated  Bishop  Berkley, — 
whose  arrival  and  stay  at  Newport  have  been  so  often  chroni- 
cled in  history,  as  connected  with  religious,  historical,  and  liter- 
ary events  in  our  character, — attracted  by  our  facilities  for  com- 
merce, splendid  climate  and  ocean  scenery,  wrote  to  his  friend  in 
Dublin  that  "  The  town  of  Newport  is  the  most  thriving  place 
in  all  America  for  bigness.  It  is  very  pretty,  and  pleasantly 
situated.  I  was  never  more  agreeably  surprised  than  at  the 
first  sight  of  the  town  and  harbor."  At  this  time,  it  contained 
about  6000  inhabitants,  and  was  rapidly  increasing.  From  1 740 
to  the  period  of  the  Revolution,  the  commercial  prosperity  of 
Newport  was  unequalled.  The  statistics  of  our  custom  and 
import  business,  show  an  amount  of  value  almost  incredible. 
The  history  of  those  times  corroborates  the  traditions  of  mem- 
ory, handed  down  to  us  by  our  ancestors,  of  princely  mansions 
and  princely  fortunes  in  and  around  this  town,  that  make  even 
much  of  these  days  dwindle  into  insignificance.  The  large  and 
profitable  business  of  those  colonial  times  made  many  very 
rich,  and  all  classes  shared  in  the  common  prosperity ;  every 
trade  and  profession  had  its  share,  and  Newport  was  rapidly 
securing  its  title  of  the  Eden  of  America. 

It  was  generally  conceded  that  Newport  had  every  advan- 
tage. Wealth  had  centred  here,  and  was  attracting  capitalists 
from  every  part  of  the  world.  Between  1750  and  1760,  some 
hundreds  of  wealthy  Israelites,  a  most  distinguished  class 
of  merchants,  removed  here  from  Spain,  Portugal,  Jamaica, 


10  GOV.   COZZENS' 

and  other  places,  and  entered  largely  into  business.  One  of 
them,  Mr.  Aaron  Lopez,  owned  a  large  fleet  of  vessels  (rising 
thirty  at  one  time)  in  the  foreign  trade,  and  many  more  in  the 
coasting  trade.  The  order  boxes, — or  pigeon  holes,  as  we 
sometimes  call  them, — with  the  names  of  his  vessels  on  them, 
are  still  to  be  seen  in  one  of  the  old  stores  on  the  Lopez  (now 
Finch  &  Engs')  Wharf.  But  I  will  not  dwell  on  this  now,  but 
in  the  course  of  what  I  have  to  say,  will  present  some  facts 
showing  more  practically  the  extent  of  the  business  of  this  town 
previous  to  the  revolutionary  war.  Every  element  of  success 
was  within  our  reach  ;  our  imports  attracted  the  attention  of 
merchants  from  New  York,  Boston  and  Salem ;  indeed,  from 
every  place  of  note  in  the  then  American  Colonies.  We  were 
growing  rich  and  great,  and  building  up  a  city,  which,  had  it  not 
been  interrupted  and  destroyed  by  the  war  of  the  Revolution, 
might  long  ere  this  have  covered  this  whole  island,  and  been 
to-day  the  metropolis  of  this  Western  World.  That,  however, 
was  not  our  fate ;  the  very  elements  of  prosperity  which  had 
built  us  up  so  early  after  the  settlement  of  the  country — our 
splendid  harbor,  and  other  facilities — were  the  first  attractions 
of  the  war.  We  had  rebelled  against  the  usurpations  of  the 
mother  country,  and  we  suffered  for  it.  We  had  no  fortifica- 
tions to  rely  upon,  except  Fort  George  (now  Fort  Walcott); 
that  was  unfinished,  and  we  had  no  other  means  of  defence. 
The  devastations  of  that  war  upon  this  fated  town,  were  far 
greater  than  upon  any  other,  because  of  the  importance  of  this 
harbor  and  bay  as  a  depot  and  rendezvous  for  their  ships-of- 
war — a  fact  acknowledged  by  all  the  powers  of  the  earth,  save 
only,  perhaps,  that  of  our  own  United  States. 

The  natural  consequence  of  this  position  was  ruin  to  our 
merchants,  our  town  was  depopulated,  several  hundred  stores 
and  dwellings  (some  accounts  say  480,  some  say  900)  were 


ADDRESS.  ,  11 

burnt  and  otherwise  destroyed.  Every  wharf  built  of  wood 
was  torn  up  for  fuel.  Houses,  gardens,  orchards,  all  were  ruth- 
lessly invaded,  and  every  injury  that  could  be  done  was  done. 
But  I  will  not  enlarge  upon  it  here.  Our  business  to-day  is 
with  the  Long  Wharf  in  Newport.  We  meet  to  celebrate  an 
epoch  in  its  history.  It  is,  and  always  has  been,  one  of  the 
institutions  of  the  place,  a  public  wharf.  Its  extreme  length, 
its  formation,  bounded  south  on  the  harbor  for  nearly  one-third 
of  a  mile,  formed  a  more  than  usual  interest  by  its  general 
location  for  boats  and  for  fishing,  and  its  bridge-way,  through 
which  the  tide  has  ebbed  and  flowed  for  near  two  hundred 
years.  The  first  town  record  we  find  of  it,  as  a  Long  Wharf, 
is  April  29,  1685,  when  it  is  alluded  to,  in  granting  a  privilege 
to  build  another  wharf  into  the  sea  between  the  lands  of  John 
Tillinghast  and  others,  on  the  same  terms  as  the  town  had  pre- 
viously granted  lands  for  the  new  Long  Wharf.  The  record  of 
this  first  grant  is  no  doubt  among  the  mutilated  portions  of  our 
early  history,  that  were  under  water  so  long  at  Hurlgate,  near 
New  York,  and  cannot  be  recovered.*  This  wharf  has,  there- 
fore, naturally  been  the  most  important  and  popular  among 
our  many  wharves,  and  its  chequered  history  most  interesting 
to  our  community.  In  the  year  1702.  we  find  efforts  were  made 
to  rebuild  it,  it  having  suffered  in  severe  gales,  and  was  rapidly 
going  to  decay.  It  was  then  called  the  Old  Town  Wharf;  and 
the  town  voted  to  offer  it  to  certain  persons,  if  they  would 
repair  it  and  keep  it  in  order,  collect  the  wharfage,  and  thus 
reimburse  themselves  for  the  outlay.  At  this  time,  March  16, 
1702,  the  town  voted  rates  of  wharfage,  etc.,  etc.  Again,  in 
December,  1702,  the  proprietors  paid  up  their  assessments, 
appointed  a  wharfinger,  and  again  joined  in  the  management 
of  the  wharf.  In  October,  1739,  these  former  proprietors  were 
not  willing  to  widen  and  lengthen  out  the  wharf,  to  meet  the 

*  See  Appendix  A,  relating  to  Town  Records. 
23 


12  .«       GOV.    COZZENS' 

demands  of  commerce,  unless  they  should  have  a  vote  of  the 
town  giving  them  the  fee  in  said  wharf,  with  certain  other  rights ; 
whereupon  the  town  voted  the  proprietors  certain  lands  and 
flats  westward  of  Easton's  Point,  so  called,  eight  hundred  feet 
in  length  and  fifty  feet  in  width,  and  from  this  time  the  Long 
Wharf  began  to  assume  its  present  length.  The  reason  for  this 
grant  was  thus  expressed  in  their  petition : — "  For  the  benefit 
of  the  inhabitants  according  to  the  grant  of  the  town,  the  lower 
part  of  said  wharf  will  be  commodious  for  the  lying  of  larger 
vessels,  which  will  greatly  tend  to  encourage  great  commercial 
interests.  The  building  out  of  said  wharf  will  employ  a  vast 
number  of  tradesmen  and  other  inhabitants,  and  when  com- 
pleted will,  in  addition  to  Queen  street,  (now  the  Parade,)  form 
nearly  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  length,  exactly  straight,  and 
being  in  front  of  a  magnificent  Court  House  that  is  now  erecting 
there  at  great  expense;  the  beauty  and  grandeur  of  which, 
when  completed,  will  appear  the  greatest  in  all  New  England, 
be  advantageous  to  the  public  and  private  interest, — the  com- 
mittee being  vested  with  power  and  authority  to  accomplish  the 
said  design  in  the  best  manner  for  the  glory  and  ornament  of 
the  town  and  colony." 

In  the  year  1746  the  same  proprietors  obtained  from  the 
General  Assembly  authority  to  set  up  a  Ferry  between  Newport 
and  Jamestown,  on  certain  conditions  and  restrictions,  in  regard 
to  other  grants  previously  made.  They  established  the  Ferry, 
and  continued  for  some  time  to  do  a  good  business,  although 
there  were  several  other  ferry  lines  at  the  same  time. 

In  1769  the  proprietors  again  petitioned  the  General  Assem- 
bly, representing  that  they  were  under  covenant  for  building 
out  170  feet  more,  westerly,  on  said  wharf,  and  that  they  had 
suffered  very  much  by  unexpected  high  tides,  and  by  a  disas- 
trous fire  consuming  their  warehouses,  and  asked  a  grant  for  a 


ADDRESS. 

lottery,  which  was  obtained,  allowing  them  to  raise  the  sum  of 
thirteen  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  lawful  money. 

Here  let  us  stop  for  a  while  and  examine  the  legislation  of 
Rhode  Island,  on  the  subject  of  lotteries ;  for  we  find  that  from 
1752  down  to  1840,  lotteries  were  one  of  the  acknowledged  and 
most  popular  modes  of  raising  money.  Petitions  were  made  to 
the  Legislature  from  every  town  in  the  State  to  raise  money  for 
every  conceivable  object,  beginning  in  1752,  with  a  grant  to 
raise  means  to  pave  streets  in  Newport ;  the  next  to  build  a 
fort  on  Goat  Island,  (Fort  George,  now  Fort  Walcott,)  say 
XI 0,000.  From  this  time,  lotteries  became  a  real  mania  with 
the  people ;  every  court  house  in  the  State,  every  church,  every 
meeting  house,  or  nearly  so,  parsonage  houses,  to  pave  streets, 
build  wharves,  establish  libraries,  make  roads,  protect  fish,  build 
bridges,  build  colleges,  relieve  bankrupt  estates,  and  many  pri- 
vate objects,  all  were  aided  in  this  way  to  a  greater  or  less 
extent.  Hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars  were  allowed  to  be 
raised,  and  it  would  seem  that  every  individual  in  the  State 
must  have  participated  in  it,  as  we  find  citizens  of  the  highest, 
most  respectable  and  religious  character,  engaged  as  commis- 
sioners, or  parties  to  it.  Lotteries  continued,  without  much 
abatement,  down  to  1806,  having  been  countenanced  and  pat- 
ronized for  over  half  a  century,  without  discovering  the  gam- 
bling character  they  were  assuming.  At  this  time,  applications 
became  so  numerous,  and  many  which  were  unauthorized  being 
found  in  the  market,  that  the  Assembly  passed  a  law  to  prose- 
cute all  that  were  not  legal,  but  repealed  it  same  year,  next 
session.  Not  until  1840,  January  Session,  did  the  Legislature 
fully  realize  their  wicked  and  desperate  character,  when  we 
find  a  resolution  relating  to  the  great  evils  they  were  entailing 
upon  our  State,  morally  and  financially,  and  recommending  their 
discontinuance.  In  1845  stringent  laws  were  passed  relating 


14  GOV.    COZZENS' 

to  the  sale  of  tickets.  And  now  many  years  have  passed  since 
this  State  has  allowed  lotteries,  or  permitted  traffic  in  them — a 
wise  result,  remedying  a  pernicious  and  expensive  evil. 

We  now  return  to  1769  in  the  history  of  the  Long  Wharf. 
The  amount  raised  by  the  lottery  was  expended  on  the  wharf, 
and  it  continued  to  prosper  until  destroyed  by  the  British  in 
1779.  The  lower  part  being  mostly  built  of  timber, — especially 
the  west  end, — it  was  burnt  to  the  water's  edge.  Thus  it 
remained  through  all  the  disheartening  years  of  the  war,  a 
dilapidated  shell,  reflecting  on  its  surface  at  low  tide,  the  sad 
history  of  a  broken  down,  destroyed,  depopulated  town,  shorn 
of  all  its  grandeur,  its  population  reduced  one-half  with  devas- 
tation and  ruin  in  every  step,  the  very  elements  of  our  former 
strength  and  power,  everything  that  had  contributed  to  our  posi- 
tion and  growth  turned  suddenly  to  our  disadvantage,  our  near- 
ness to  the  ocean,  the  fear  of  continued  wars,  our  liability  to  be 
again  and  again  destroyed,  discouraged  our  capitalists,  our  busi- 
ness men.  And  from  that  time  many  of  them,  yes,  a  great 
many  of  them,  and  more  especially  those  who  had  been  tempted 
by  our  supposed  advantages  to  adopt  this  as  their  home,  now 
gathered  up  all  they  had  left  from  the  wreck  of  war,  and  leav- 
ing this  their  idolized  and  beautiful  home  by  the  side  of  the 
sea,  retreated  inland,  or  to  less  exposed  places  for  business, 
and  there  devoted  their  energies  free  from  all  the  discouraging 
sights,  which  our  desolated  place  presented  to  their  view.  It  is 
true  a  few  of  our  old  native-born  distinguished  merchants  still 
remained,  and  though  paralyzed  in  fortune  and  in  spirit,  they 
clung  to  their  loved  home,  and  endeavored  to  resuscitate  their 
fallen  fortunes  and  their  unfortunate  town.  They  met  with 
some  success,  for  in  1795  we  find  that  thirty-six  of  our  most 
honorable  and  distinguished  merchants,  then  residents  of  New- 
port, associating  themselves  together  as  a  Board  of  Trustees  of 


ADDRESS.  15 

the  Long  Wharf,  proposing  to  make  one  more  effort  to  rebuild 
this  wharf  that  had  been  destroyed  by  the  ravages  of  war,  and 
by  fire,  and  was  being  washed  away.  The  wood  and  logs  of 
which  it  was  built  that  escaped  the  fire,  though  partly  under 
water,  were  being  carried  off  by  the  poor  for  fire-wood,  and 
very  soon  it  would  have  been  back  to  its  native  condition,  a 
mere  shore.  They  petitioned  the  General  Assembly  for  an  Act 
of  Incorporation  as  a  Board  of  Trustees,  and  at  the  same 
session  obtained  a  grant  for  a  lottery  to  raise  $25,000  towards 
rebuilding  this  Long  Wharf,  and  for  building  a  hotel,  which  was 
supposed  would  be  needed  and  be  profitable ;  and  further  rep- 
resenting that  all  profits  arising  from  said  wharf  and  hotel, 
should  be  appropriated  to  building  one  or  more  public  free 
schools,  in  such  manner  as  the  Trustees  may  direct.  Thus  it 
appears  that  they  had  a  twofold  object,  of  rebuilding  this 
ancient  and  once  flourishing  wharf,  for  the  benefit  of  commerce, 
and  to  aid  the  great  cause  of  education,  by  the  support  of  pub- 
lic schools.  It  would  "seem,  that  the  public  notice  of  this 
Act  of  Incorporation  and  the  grant  for  a  lottery  to  rebuild  the 
wharf  and  establish  public  schools,  attracted  the  attention  of 
one  Simeon  Potter,  a  resident  of  Swanzey  in  the  State  of  Mas- 
sachusetts, who  generously  made  a  gift  of  two  lots  of  land,  with 
a  dwelling  house  and  other  buildings,  on  Easton's  Point,  in 
Newport,  to  be  combined  with  the  fund  to  be  raised  and  estab- 
lished for  public  schools.  In  his  deed  of  gift  he  uses  the  fol- 
lowing most  touching  language:  "Now  I,  the  said  Simeon 
Potter,  moved  by  the  regard  I  have  for  the  good  people  of  the 
said  Town  of  Newport,  and  by  the  afflictions  which  they  have 
suffered  in  the  late  war,  and  wishing  to  promote  their  rise  arfd 
prosperity,  and  the  education  of  their  children  of  the  present 
and  succeeding  generation,  do  hereby  in  consideration  thereof, 
give,  grant,  &c.;  &c."*  This  liberal  donation  for  the  objects 

*  See  his  letter  in  Appendix,  C. 


16  GOV.    COZZENS' 

above  specified,  was  an  act  of  kindness  and  benevolence  worthy 
of  honorable  mention.  From  the  time  of  the  gift  until  1814, 
the  house  was  rented,  and  the  income  was  spent  on  repairs  and 
betterments  of  the  estate.  During  the  years  1796  to  1800  the 
wharf  was  rebuilt.  The  lottery  yielded  a  handsome  sum, 
although  the  amount  does  not  appear  (probably  about  $12,000), 

as  one  of  the  Treasurers  books  of  that  date  cannot  be  found. 

» 

The  Committee  of  the  Trustees  performed  their  duties  most 
honorably,  in  regard  to  rebuilding  the  wharf  and  the  manage- 
ment of  the  lotteries,  without  any  charge  for  services,  receiving 
the  thanks  of  the  Board  of  Trustees.  Here  let  me  refer  to  a 
copy  of  the  record  of  the  doings  of  the  Trustees,  from  1795 
down  to  this  present  date,  which  has  been  condensed,  and  pre- 
pared by  one  of  the  Board,  David  G.  Cook,  Esq.,  the  present 
highly  respected  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trustees,  which  it 
is  proposed  will  accompany  this  address  as  an  Appendix*  and 
will  supply  to  a  great  extent  any  deficiency  in  the  matter  of 
statistics  in  regard  to  the  wharf  since  1795,  which  may  be 
expected  here.  It  will  supply  the  names  of  all  the  Trustees, 
and  the  time  of  their  appointment,  the  report  of  the  annual  and 
special  meetings,  in  fact  the  entire  record  of  this  important 
Trust,  including  an  elaborate  report  made  by  the  Hon.  Wm.  R. 
Staples,  late  Judge  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  this  State,  to  the 
Trustees  by  their  request  in  1858,  tracing  the  history,  title  and 
rights  of  the  Trustees  in  this  valuable  property.  I  mention 
this  so  particularly,  in  this  connexion,  to  account  for  any  seem- 
ing neglect  on  my  part  to  explain  and  more  fully  represent  the 
doings  of  the  Trustees  from  time  to  time.  My  part  of  the  duty 
being  understood  to  be,  to  make  the  address  with  the  public 
history  of  the  wharf,  and  its  connection  with  the  reputation  and 
business  interests  of  the  town.  I  most  fully  recommend  the 

*  See  Appendix,  Note  C. 


ADDRESS.  17 

report  here  alluded  to  as  a  valuable  history  of  the  wharf,  show- 
ing the  faithful  observance  of  a  Trust,  its  interest  in  public 
schools,  and  the  disposition  of  all  concerned  to  make  the  wharf 
useful,  attractive  and  profitable. 

In  1814,  the  Trustees  by  way  of  carrying  out  the  conditions 
of  the  Trust,  and  applying  the  gift  of  Mr.  Potter,  appointed  a 
committee  to  devise  a  plan  for  opening  a  free  school  for  poor 
children.  They  reported  accommodations  in  the  Potter  House, 
for  a  school  of  fifty  or  sixty  scholars.  At  this  time,  they  made 
an  estimate  of  the  probable  income  for  this  purpose,  and 
decided  to  begin  with  twenty  or  thirty  scholars,  which  was  duly 
organized;  and  thus  was  inaugurated  the  first  public  school 
from  this  Long  Wharf  fund.  Capt.  Joseph  Finch  and  his  wife 
undertook  the  charge  of  this  school  for  a  very  moderate  com- 
pensation. In  1815  we  find  a  report  from  this  committee  say- 
ing that  twenty-five  of  the  boys  had  made  much  greater  pro- 
gress in  their  studies  than  was  anticipated,  and  that  the  teachers 
had  done  ample  justice  to  their  pupils.  At  the  annual  meeting, 
1815,  the  committee  was  further  instructed  to  enlarge  the  school 
to  accommodate  forty  scholars,  and  means  were  put  in  train  to 
obtain  pupils  from  different  parts  of  the  town.  The  record 
says,  "  that  all  may  have  an  opportunity  of  experiencing  the 
happy  effects  of  so  valuable  an  institution."  A  School  Commit- 
tee was  annually  appointed,  and  the  school  continued  to  flourish 
until  1829,  when  on  the  decease  of  Capt.  Pinch  it  was  changed 
to  a  school  for  smaller  children,  under  the  care  of  his  widow, 
which  continued  until  1832,  when  it  was  given  up.  Public 
schools  under  the  direction  of  the  town  were  then  fully  estab- 
lished on  a  liberal  and  popular  basis,  and  it  was  unnecessary  to 
continue  this  on  its  then  limited  scale.  The  house  which  had 
been  occupied,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Potter,  was  ordered  to  be  sold, 
and  the  proceeds  deposited  in  the  Savings  Bank,  where  it  has 


18  GOV.    COZZENS' 

remained  ever  since,  with  its  accumulations  of  interest,  amount- 
ing, when  withdrawn  to  aid  in  the  erection  of  this  edifice,  to  the 
handsome  sum  of  twenty-two  hundred  and  ninety-three  T308<y 
dollars. 

The  school  we  have  just  alluded  to  was  held  on  Washington 
Street,  corner  of  Marsh  Street,  and  was  known  as  the  Long 
Wharf  Free  School,  Among  its  scholars  were  some  of  .  the 
smartest  boys  in  town,  making  good  sailors,  smart  captains,  and 
good  merchants.  Some,  I  know,  have  risen  to  position  and 
wealth,  yes,  even  to  eminence  j  and  some  are  now  among  our 
most  enterprising  and  liberal  citizens.  I  well  remember  this 
school  from  1820  to  its  close,  and  shall  never  forget  the  novel 
and  most  peculiar  method  adopted  to  give  notice  of  school-time. 
The  teacher,  having  been  an  old  sea  captain,  was  more  accus- 
tomed to  use  his  lungs  than  hand-bells,  and  as  there  was  no  bell 
belonging  to  the  school,  the  teacher  with  great  punctuality 
would  go  first  to  the  west  window  on  Washington  Street  (sec- 
ond story),  and  call  out  at  the  top  of  his  voice — and  that  voice 
was  not  weak  or  delicate — three  times,  "  Boys  !  Boys  !  Boys  ! " 
Then  he  would  appear  at  another  window  on  the  east  side  of 
the  house,  and  repeat  the  same  call — "  Boys  !  Boys  !  Boys  !  " 
This  being  on  the  side  of  the  cove,  with  buildings  on  all  four 
sides,  forming  a  hollow  square  at  least  a  thousand  feet  across, 
over  the  water,  it  would  at  times  produce  a  most  prodigious 
noise,  heard  as  far  almost  as  a  steam  whistle  in  these  days.  I 
have  often  heard  it,  in  my  boyhood  days,  while  sailing  about 
the  cove  in  a  boat,  echo  in  every  direction,  east,  north,  south, 
and  west.  Sometimes  the- second  and  third  call  would  catch 
the  echo  of  the  first,  and  with  the  roguish  boys  in  their  boat 
joining  in  the  general  chorus,  shouting  at  the  top  of  their  voices, 
"  Boys,"  too.  Thus  on  many  a  bright  morning,  with  a  calm, 
clear,  atmosphere,  has  there  been  a  confusion  of  sounds  over 


ADDRESS.  19 

that,  at  times,  crystal  sheet  of  water,  far  surpassing  the  efforts 
of  the  most  gifted  ventriloquist.  What  effect  these  interfer- 
ences of  the  boys,  or  the  echoes,  had  upon  the  old  schoolmas- 
ter's disposition  and  temper,  I  never  heard.  His  voice  has  long 
been  silent,  but  the  echo  of  oilier  voices  can  still  occasionally 
be  heard  on  that  same  cove,  although  very  soon  the  whistle  of 
the  locomotive  will  take  its  place,  and  the  cove,  with  all  its 
associations,  will  be  converted  into  a  railroad  station,  an  evi- 
dence of  progress  long  desired. 

Before  we  leave  the  matter  of  Public  Schools,  let  us  go  back 
in  history,  and  see  what/  was  done  by  our  ancestors,  the  early 
settlers  on  this  island,  towards  establishing  popular  education, 
now  so  universally  appreciated  in  this  country.  I  find  that 
almost  immediately  after  the  settlement  of  the  island,  one 
Robert  Lenthal  was  admitted  a  freeman  by  the  General  Court; 
and  by  a  vote  of  the  Town  of  Newport,  August  6,  1640,  was 
called  to  keep  a  public  school  for  the  learning  of  youth ;  and  for 
his  encouragement,  there  was  granted  to  him  one  hundred  acres 
of  land,  and  four  more  acres  for  a  house  lot ;  and  it  was  also 
voted  that  one  hundred  acres  more  should  be  laid  forth  and 
appropriated  for  a  school  for  the  encouragement  of  the  poorer 
sort,  to  train  up  in  learning ;  and  Mr.  Robert  Lenthal,  while  he 
continues  to  teach  school,  is  to  have  the  benefit  of  said  land. 
In  Judge  Staples'  Annals  of  Providence,  I  find  the  first  move- 
ment made  in  Providence,  was  May  9,  1663,  when  a  grant  of 
land  was  made  for  that  purpose  of  one  hundred  acres  of  upland 
and  six  acres  of  meadow.  The  first  schoolmaster  in  Provi- 
dence was  one  William  Turpin,  who  was  there  in  1684.  But 
their  schools  did  not  appear  to  have  made  much  progress  until 
1750,  and  upwards.  In  1697,  April  28,  Newport  voted  other 
school  lands  for  the  benefit  of  a  schoolmaster.  In  1704,  the 
town  built  another  school  house  at  the  public  charge.  The  vote 
24 


20  GOY.    COZZENS' 

describes  place,  size,  &c.  The  town  voted  six  acres  of  land  to 
be  sold,  proceeds  to  be  used  towards  building  the  school  house. 
Also  a  tax  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  pounds  for  same  object. 
Another  vote  that  the  inhabitants  living  to  the  north  and  near 
Middletown,  shall  not  be  liable  to  said  tax,  because  they  lived 
too  far  off  to  send  their  children.  Some  delays  were  occa- 
sioned by  the  difficulty  of  selling  the  land  and  deciding  upon 
the  location;  but  a  large  and  commodious  school  house  was 
finally  built  and  finished  August  18,  1709,  Mr.  William  Gilbert 
chosen  schoolmaster,  to  have  the  benefit  of  the  school  lands  for 
one  year.  Here,  again,  is  evidence  of  the  progress  of  knowl- 
edge. At  a  town  meeting,  October  4,  1710,  a  very  respectful 
petition  from  a  Mr.  Galloway,  for  the  liberty  of  teaching  a 
Latin  School  in  the  two  little  rooms  in  the  school  house,  is  here- 
by granted. 

October  7,  1713,  the  town  voted  to  establish  another  school, 
and  Benjamin  Nicholson  was  chosen  schoolmaster.  A  committee 
was  also  appointed  to  repair  the  town  school  house.  July  28, 
1714,  John  Hammett  was  chosen  a  schoolmaster  to  officiate  in 
this  office  for  nine  years,  on  the  same  terms  as  others  have  been 
paid.  January  29,  1723,  a  further  petition  for  a  school  house 
in  the  eastern  portion  of  the  town  voted  106  acres  of  land  for 
that  purpose.  Again,  January  25,  1726,  in  town  meeting, — 
"  Whereas,  there  are  some  buildings  in  town,  improved  for 
schools,  which  are  of  great  advantage  to  the  public,  which, 
unless  repaired,  will  become  useless,  and  particularly  the  great 
school  house,  it  is  ordered  that  all  the  public  school  houses 
in  the  precincts  of  Newport  be  repaired,  and  paid  for  out 
of  the  public  treasury."  It  will  appear  by  the  foregoing 
extracts  from  our  town  records,  that  Newport  was  really 
a  pioneer  in  the  establishment  of  public  schools.  I  know  of 
no  place  where  public  schools  were  established  so  early  after 


,      ADDRESS. 

the  settlement  of-  the  country,  and  on  so  liberal  a  scale.  I  find 
no  time  on  our  records  when  education  was  not  a  very  impor- 
tant subject  in  our  town  legislation.  It  has,  of  course,  like  all 
other  important  objects,  expanded  in  our  prosperity  and  suf- 
fered by  our  adversity.  From  1726  down  to  the  time  of  the 
revolution,  we  find  the  same  devotion  to  the  cause  of  learning 
that  characterized  our  early  settlers;  but  evidently,  private 
schools  monopolized  a  large  share  of  the  youth  between  1740 
and  1776,  as  their  parents  were  in  a  flourishing  business,  and 
could  well  afford  to  educate  them  according  to  their  choice. 

From  1776  down  to  1825,  but  very  little  interest  was  mani- 
fested in  public,  or  even  private  schools.  The  disheartening  in- 
fluences of  the  war  had  paralyzed  every  effort,  and  many  had 
lost  all  their  property,  or  nearly  all,  with  a  prospect  of  heavy 
burdens  and  taxes.  The  school  houses  were  turned  into  bar- 
racks, and  were  literally  used  up  by  the  enemy  in  possession  of 
the  town.  Consequently,  public  schools  appear  to  have  been 
abandoned,  and  we  discover  no  evidence  of  any  effort  being 
made  to  restore  them,  until  1825.  Thus  it  appears  that  the 
only  public  school  existing  in  the  town  during  that  time  was  the 
Long  Wharf  Free  School,  supported  by  the  Trust  we  this  day 
celebrate.  Some  private  schools  were  established,  and  did 
good  service ;  but  the  spirit  of  former  days  had  departed,  and 
each  child  had  to  depend  for  an  education  on  the  ability  of  its 
parents ;  most  of  them  were  well  educated  for  those  times,  as 
the  expense  was  comparatively  small.  Indeed,  had  the  present 
high  prices  of  living  existed  in  those  days,  with  no  more  busi- 
ness than  we  had  then,  we  should,  as  was  often  said  of  us,  long 
since  have  eaten  ourselves  up.  Since  1830  public  schools  have 
again  revived,  and  on  a  most  permanent  and  substantial  basis, 
and  at  this  time  are  equal  to  any  in  New  England.  I  will  not 
weary  you  with  any  particulars,  they  are  familiar  to  all  I  ad- 


22  GOV.    COZZEN& 

dress  to-day,  and  in  closing  my  review  of  public  schools,  I  feel 
proud  to  own  them  as  a  great  element  in  our  present  character. 

Having  traced  the  history  of  the  Long  Wharf,  and  fully  identi- 
fied it  with  the  history  of  Newport,  in  an  important  commercial 
point  of  view ;  having  also*  furnished  you  with  considerable  evi- 
dence that  Newport  has,  from  her  earliest  settlement,  been  seri- 
ously devoted  to  public  schools  and  popular  education,  which 
will  in  a  measure  account  for  so  much  being  said  in  history 
about  this  ancient  seat  of  learning,  social  refinement,  &c; 
there  can  be  no  doubt,  that  while  so  much  was  done  to  educate 
the  poorer  classes,  the  richer  class  must  have  had  superior 
schools  for  those  early  days. 

The  Trust  we  celebrate  to-day,  is  the  Long  Wharf  and  Pub- 
lic Schools,  identical  heretofore,  inseparable  hereafter.  While 
I  have  wandered  through  the  records  and  histories  of  Newport, 
to  cull  whatever  seems  appropriate  to  the  object  of  this  cele- 
bration, I  have  found  much  beyond  the  immediate  object  of  this 
Trust,  which,  I  doubt  not,  may  be  interesting  to  you,  and  to  those 
who  may  come  after  us.  I  shall  therefore  trespass  upon  your 
patience  while  I  relate  some  of  those  evidences  or  indications 
of  that  early,  high  commercial  character  of  Newport,  during 
the  last  century,  and  the  causes  of  her  decline ;  rescuing,  per- 
haps, some  things  in  history  from  being  lost  sight  of.  I  find 
much  that  is  interesting,  but  the  further  limits  of  this  ad- 
dress will  allow  me  only  a  brief  recital.  The  earlier  history 
of  Newport  and  of  Rhode  Island,  as  regards  its  first  settlement, 
its  religious  character,  its  contests  for  freedom  to  worship  God, 
and  all  the  trials  of  its  early  life,  have  been  often  and  most 
elaborately  presented,  forming  an  interesting  epitome  of  the 
history  of  this  State.  An  eminent  historian*  once  said,  "  The 
annals  of  Rhode  Island,  if  written  in  the  spirit  of  philosophy, 

*Hon.  George  Bancroft. 


ADDRESS.  23 

would  exhibit  the  forms  of  society  under  a  peculiar  aspect. 
Had  the  territory  of  the  State  corresponded  to  the  importance 
and  singularity  of  the  principles  of  its  early  existence,  the 
world  would  have  been  filled  with  wonder  at  the  phenomena 
of  its  early  history." 

I  shall  therefore  proceed  at  once  to  exhibit  such  evidences  of 
our  commercial  character  as  I  have  been  able  to  gather  from 
the  storehouse  of  history,  adopting  only  a  few  illustrations,  lest 
I  should  weary  you  and  extend  this  address  to  an  unreasonable 
length.  From  the  year  1700,  the  infancy  of  these  then  British 
Colonies,  Newport  began  to  enjoy  a  most  successful  distinction 
in  attracting  the  attention  of  men  of  wealth  and  character.  It 
seemed  designed  by  nature  and  position,  to  develop  advantages 
for  commerce  and  manufacturing  which  few  places  then  pos- 
sessed, and  from  1729  to  1742  a  very  considerable  business 
was  done,  both  in  navigation  and  manufacturing;  but  no  partic- 
ular history  of  those  days  is  left  us;  what  once  existed,  was 
lost  forever  in  the  whirlpool  of  the  revolution.  One  evidence 
of  a  large  shipping  interest  may  be  inferred  from  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Newport  Marine  Society,  which  originated  in  1752 
and  was  incorporated  in  1754,  under  the  name  of  the  Fellowship 
Club,  and  continued  to  bear  that  name  until  1785,  when  it  was 
changed  to  the  Marine  Society.  During  tne  first  eight  years  of 
this  Soctety  from  1752  to  1760,  one  hundred  and  twenty-five 
sea  captains  were  admitted  members,  showing  a  large  commerce ; 
from  that  time  to  1800.  one  hundred  and  thirty-six  more  mem- 
bers, and  since  then,  a  period  of  sixty- three  years,  only  about 
one  hundred  and  fifty  more.  During  the  one  hundred  and 
eleven  years  since  its  organization,  this  society  has  been  most 
honorably  sustained,  and  has,  to-day,  a  safely  invested  fund  of 
$20,000;  the  entire  income  is  regularly  distributed  to  the 
widows  and  orphans  of  deceased  members,  and  every  dollar  of 


24  GOV.   COZZENS' 

its  income  is  applied  to  its  legitimate  uses,  in  aid  of  the  poor 
and  unfortunate. 

From  our  Custom  House  records,  it  appears  that,  during  the 
year  1763,  there  were  184  vessels  cleared  on  foreign  voyages, 
360  odd  in  the  coasting  trade,  a  large  number  of  fishing  vessels, 
and  besides  these  a  regular  line  of  London  packets.  Two- 
thirds  of  all  these  vessels  were  owned  in  Newport,  requiring  a 
regular  force  of  2,200  seamen.  Every  year  from  this  time  the 
shipping  was  increasing.  In  1769,  Newport  appears  to  have 
been  at  the  height  of  her  prosperity.  The  entries  of  arrivals 
at  the  Custom  House,  during  the  two  months  of  July  and  August, 
were  64  vessels  from  foreign  voyages,  17  whalemen,  134  coast- 
wise. During  the  next  three  months  among  many  other  arrivals 
were  16  cargoes  of  molasses,  bringing  over  3,000  hhds.  These 
vessels  were  all  owned  in  Newport,  and  their  cargoes  were 
imported  here  for  manufacturing  purposes.  Many  such  cases 
might  be  quoted,  but  this  is  enough  to  give  an  idea  of  the 
commerce  of  that  da'y.  Now  let  us  look  at  the  business  which 
required  so  much  shipping.  The  manufacture  of  sperm  oil  and 
candles  was  introduced  into  Newport  by  the  Jews,  from  Lisbon, 
between  1745  and  1750,  and  from  that  time  to  1760  there  were 
put  in  full  operation  1 7  factories  for  these  articles  alone ;  also 
22  distilleries,  4  sugar  refineries,  5  rope  walks,  and  many  large 
furniture  factories,  shipping  immense  quanties  of  furniture  to 
New  York,  the  West  Indies,  Surinam,  and  many  other  places. 
In  1770  I  find  mention  made  of  eighteen  West  India  vessels 
arriving  here  in  one  day.  The  great  central  position  of  these 
factories  and  distilleries  was  in  and  around  the  vicinity  of  the 
Cove  and  Long  Wharf.  At  one  time  there  were  seven  wharves, 
eleven  distilleries  and  several  shipyards  in  the  Cove.  Many 
vessels  were  built  therein,  some  of  considerable  size ;  one  rather 
celebrated  sloop  called  the  Rising  Sun,  was  built  by  one  Gideon 


ADDRESS.  25 

Davenport.  All  vessels  built  in  the  Cove,  as  well  as  those  land- 
ing thfiir  cargoes  there,  passed  through  the  bridge,  which  then 
had  a  commodious  draw  twenty-six  feet  wide.  About  this  time 
an  effort  was  made  to  render  the  running  tide  in  and  out  of  the 
Cove,  available  for  power  to  run  a  mill.  The  privilege  was 
granted  to  John  Hadwen,  but  I  cannot  find  it  ever  amounted 
to  much.  Another  effort  was  made  many  years  after  with  no 
better  success. 

About  the  year  1770  the  population  of  the  town  was  said  to 
be  not  less  than  twelve  thousand  j  with  at  least  two  hundred 
vessels  in  the  foreign  trade,  and  four  hundred  in  the  coasting 
trade,  all  owned  in  Newport.* 

During  this  period  in  our  history  I  see  no  mention  made  of 
Insurance  Companies.  (First  in  this  State  was  in  1799,  one  in 
Newport,  one  in  Providence.)  Our  merchants  had  to  stand 
their  own  underwriters,  and  some  years  they  met  with  most  dis- 
astrous results ;  one  year  in  particular,  there  were  a  great  many 
shipwrecks,  with  loss  of  vessels  and  cargoes,  and  a  great  loss 
of  life,  making,  it  is  said,  at  least  two  hundred  widows  in  one 
year. 

At  this  time,  Newport  was  decidedly  ahead  of  New  York  in 
her  foreign  and  domestic  trade.  Aaron  Lopez,  whom  I  have 
before  alluded  to,  with  Godfrey  Malbone,  Henry  Collins,  the 
Brinleys,  Wantons,  and  many  others,  were  among  the  largest 
ship  owners  and  heaviest  merchants ;  but  the  number  of  those 
owning  ten  or  twelve  vessels  and  doing  a  large  business,  is  per- 
fectly incredible.  Pardon  me  if  I  step  aside  to  relate  an  inci- 
dent which  has  been  current  for  nearly  a  century,  and  worthy 
to  be  handed  down  as  a  specimen  of  old  fashioned  shrewdness. 
Old  Christopher  Almy,  a  Merchant  of  those  days,  having  had.  a 
cargo  of  molasses  landed  on  his  wharf,  now  called  the  old  Ham- 

*  See  Historical  Memoranda,  Appendix  A. 


26  GOV.    COZZENS' 

rnond  Wharf,  ordered  one  of  his  negroes  to  watch  it  at  night 
(they  had  slaves  here  at  that  time),  and  during  one  t)f  the 
nights,  to  try  his  faithfulness,  he  visited  the  wharf  himself  and 
began  to  reconnoitre  among  the  casks  to  draw  some  molasses, 
when  discovered  by  his  faithful  servant  he  endeavored  to  escape, 
but  being  caught  by  him,  Mr.  Almy  used  every  means  to  con- 
vince the  negro  that  he  was  his  master ;  but  it  was  of  no  avail, 
the  watchman  was  inexorable  and  admitted  no  such  plea.  No 
sir,  said  he,  my  massa  no  such  fool  as  dat,  to  come  down  here 
dis  time  of  night  to  steal  his  own  molasses ;  and  he  therefore 
proved  his  capacity  to  guard  the  property  intrusted  to  his  care 
by  dispatching  the  old  man  into  the  dock.  His  faithfulness  no 
doubt  satisfied  Mr.  Almy,  but  his  treatment  was  rather  a 
damper. 

One  more  anecdote  which  is  equally  well  authenticated,  let 
me  relate,  in  passing,  as  it  refers  to  about  these  times,  showing 
such  a  striking  difference  between  Providence  and  Newport, 
less  than  a  hundred  years  ago,  while  Newport  was  engaged  in 
the  extensive  business  we  have  been  describing,  and  enjoying 
that  high  position  in  the  American  colonies.  When  the  mer- 
chant from  New  York  visited  Newport  to  purchase  goods 
imported  here,  and  wrote  home  to  his  wife  saying  what  a  large 
and  thriving  place  Newport  was,  expressing  his  hope  that  some 
day  "  New  York  may  rival  Newport,"  then  it  was  that  Newport 
was  importing  thousands  of  hogsheads  of  molasses  per  month, 
and  a  goodly  portion  of  it  was  landed  on  this  Long  Wharf. 
Occasionally  the  Newport  packet  plying  between  here  and 
Providence  would  take  from  this  said  wharf  a  hogshead  of  this 
good  molasses,  and,  waiting  a  favoring  breeze,  start  for  Provi- 
dence. On  her  arrival  there  the  town  crier  would  be  employed 
to  perambulate  their  streets  ringing  his  bell  at  every  corner,  and 
announcing  that  the  sloop  Polly  had  arrived  from  Newport  with 


ADDRESS.  27 

a  cask  of  most  excellent  molasses  that  would  be  retailed  out  on 

board  said  sloop  at price  per  gallon,  and  inviting  all  those 

in  want  of  some  of  it,  to  apply  on  board  said  sloop,  before  nine 
o'clock  the  following  day.  I  have  this  story  related  to  me  by  a 
near  relative  of  one,*  who,  not  many  years  ago,  at  a  ripe  old  age, 
honored  and  respected  by  everybody  in  Newport,  his  birth  place, 
as  well  as  in  Providence  where  he  had  lived  eighty  odd  years 
of  his  life,  had  often  said  that  from  the  time  of  that  announce- 
ment by  the  crier,  he  had  seen  people  of  all  ages  and  sizes 
passing  out  of  their  houses  and  gateways  with  rundlets,  jugs, 
and  kettles,  wending  their  way  to  the  Newport  packet  to  secure 
a  portion  of  this  delicious  top-dressing  for  their  cakes.  I 
mention  this  story  only  to  show  the  primitive  way  in  which 
things  were  done  in  comparison  with  Newport,  even  in  places 
that  since  that  time  have  outgrown  us  in  everything  that  consti- 
tutes a  flourishing  community. 

Between  the  years  1770  and  1776,  while  our  wharves  and 
harbor  were  filled  with  vessels  laden  with  merchandise  from 
every  part  of  the  world,  and  everything  was  going  on  prosper- 
ously, many  English  war  vessels  were  sent  here  to  aid  in  enforc- 
ing the  revenue  laws,  which  had  become  very  stringent  and 
obnoxious  to  our  people,  and  were  being  daily  resisted.  At 
one  time  in  1774,  a  whole  fleet  lay  at  anchor  in  our  harbor. 
From  this  time  the  incidents  of  the  revolution  surrounded  us. 
Such  was  our  unfortunate  position  that  our  commerce,  our  man- 
ufactures, and  all  the  elements  of  a  growing  prosperity,  made 
us,  of  course,  the  chief  object  of  attack.  England  became 
jealous  of  our  success,  and  inflamed  at  our  boldness  and  inde- 
pendence— witness  the  destruction  of  His  Majesty's  sloop  Lib- 
erty in  our  harbor,  1769,  and  the  Gaspee  on  the  river,  near 
Providence,  in  17*72.  From  this  time  we  were  closely  watched 

*  The  venerable  John  Rowland. 
25 


28  GOV.    COZZENS' 

and  guarded  by  some  of  their  most  powerful  forces  intended  to 
intimidate  us.  On  the  20th  July,  1776,  they  threatened  to 
bombard  the  town.  Making  preparations  by  the  ships  taking 
their  position,  they  put  quantities  of  tar  and  other  inflammable 
matter  into  the  ferry  boats,  in  order  as  it  was  said,  to  set  tire 
to  the  town.  After  keeping  up  the  alarm  two  days,  they  left 
the  harbor  and  sailed  on  a  cruise.  Great  numbers  of  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  town,  removed  about  this  time,  taking  all  they 
could  carry  with  them.  Thus  surrounded  by  ships-of-war,  we 
continued  to  assert  our  independence  till  December,  1776,  when 
the  large  British  fleet  arrived,  commanded  by  Sir  Peter  Parker, 
with  an  army  of  ten  thousand  men,  English  and  Hessians,  who 
immediately  took  us  captive,  landing  his  army  in  the  midst  of 
this  community,  creating  a  consternation  that  can  be  more  easily 
imagined  than  described.  From  this  time  our  destruction  com- 
menced. They  burnt  our  factories  and  our  ships,  tore  up  our 
wharves,  stores,  and  warehouses,  depopulated  our  town,  and 
occupied  or  mutilated  everything  around  us. 

In  July,  1778,  a  French  fleet,  consisting  of  eleven  ships-of- 
the-line,  besides  frigates  and  transports,  under  the  command  of 
Count  D'Estaing,  arrived  in  our  harbor  and  outside.  These, 
with  the  English  frigates  and  ships,  must  have  made  exciting 
times  in  our  harbor  and  bay. 

In  1778,  November  12th,  twelve  more  British  ships  and  frig- 
ates arrived. 

About  the  1st  of  October,  1779,  there  were  indications  of 
an  evacuation  of  the  Island  of  Rhode  Island.  On  the  llth,  a 
fleet  of  fifty-two  sail  of  transports  arrived,  and  took  off  seven 
thousand  men  and  all  their  ordnance  and  military  stores.  On 
their  leaving,  they  burnt  and  destroyed  everything  within  their 
reach.  The  records  of  these  times  are  filled  with-  the  distress 
which  pervaded  all  things  about  us. 


ADDRESS.  29 

In  1780,  July  10th,  another  French  fleet,  consisting  of  forty- 
four  men-of-war  and  transports,  under  Admiral  De  Terney,  hav- 
ing on  board  six  thousand  troops,  arrived  from  France.  The 
next  day  the  troops  landed,  and  were  put  in  possession  of  the 
forts.  The  arrival  of  this  fleet  inspired  the  people  with  new 
'life;  and  although  they  were  frequently  exposed  and  liable  to 
renewed  attacks  from  the  English  fleets,  nothing  more  was 
attempted.  The  history  of  these  events,  and  these  times,  is 
deeply  interesting,  but  my  time  will  not  permit  any  further  notice. 

Between  1776  and  1782  the  effects  of  the  war  and  its  prob- 
able future  upon  the  success  of  our  people,  reduced  our  popu- 
lation one-half  in  numbers,  and  at  least  two-thirds  in  reality,  as 
those  who  left  here  were  best  able  to  establish  themselves  else- 
where, leaving  behind  the  poor  and  the  ruined  as  a  burden 
upon  the  town.  With  this  sad  picture  staring  our  people  in 
the  face,  with  desolation  stamped  upon  everything  within  us  and 
around  us,  but  few  had  the  heart  and  the  energy  to  enjoy  even 
the  glad  tidings  of  the  peace  of  1783.  For  nearly  ten  years 
had  we  been  a  prey  to  the  invasions  of  a  foreign  foe,  and  were 
becoming  accustomed  to  it.  Yet  peace  was  a  great  relief;  the 
few  of  our  distinguished  merchants  who  remained,  gathered  up 
the  fragments  that  were  left,  and  once  more  started  on  a  career 
of  business,  but  it  came  hard,  the  spirit  was  broken ;  the  charms 
of  prosperity  had  vanished,  still  they  struggled  on.  There  was 
a  considerable  revival  of  business.  Gibbs  &  Channing,  and 
several  others  had  embarked  in  new  enterprises  and  were  flour- 
ishing, when,  lo,  again  the  sound  of  war  reached  our  shores. 
Many  of  those  who  had  passed  through  the  Revolution  were  still 
alive  and  saw  again  in  the  sure  future  another  devastation,  and 
so  it  proved.  The  embargo  of  1808  was  the  precursor,  sus- 
pending all  business.  We  again  suffered;  our  people  became 
disheartened;  threatened  with  all  the  horrors  of  the  former  war, 


30  GOV.    COZZENS' 

our  town  showed  signs  of  again  being  invaded.  In  June,  1814 
the  General  Assembly  passed  an  Act  authorizing  the  Town 
Councils  of  the  seaport  towns  to  cause  their  shipping  to  be 
removed  from  their  wharves^  The  Council  of  Newport  ordered 
the  shipping  here  to  be  all  removed  from  the  wharves,  lest  it 
should  be  an  inducement  for  the  enemy  to  visit  Newport  again. 
Many  of  the  vessels  were  sent  up  the  river  as  far  as  they  could 
go,  and  a  great  many  of  our  citizens  packed  up  all  their  valua- 
bles, in  clothing,  furniture,  &c.,  our  traders  their  merchandise, 
our  bankers  their  banks,  our  Town  Council  their  records,  which 
were  sent  up  the  river  or  across  the  bay  to  more  inland  places, 
remembering  how  their  fathers  suffered  in  the  war  of  1776. 
This  state  of  excitement  was  sooner  relieved  than  was  expected. 
The  fourteenth  of  February,  1815,  will  forever  be  remembered 
by  many  now  present  when  the  blessed  messenger  of  peace 
reached  our"  town.  Every  demonstration  of  joy  was  evinced ; 
our  citizens  began  to  breathe  more  freely ;  they  had  suffered 
much,  yet  they  looked  upon  war  as  ever  fatal  to  their  prosperity 
and  depressing  to  their  minds. 

This  very  year,  that  had  given  us  a  peace,  also  brought  us  a 
flood,  with  the  ever  memorable  September  gale,  which  occurred 
on  the  23d  of  September,  1815,  and  which  added  greatly  to  our 
distress,  doing  an  immense  damage  to  our  shipping,  destroying 
many  of  our  wharves,  with  the  old  stores  that  had  survived  the 
Revolution.  The  wreck  of  a  great  many  of  these  old  wharves  is 
still  visible,  at  low  tide,  frequently  grounding  vessels  and  boats 
as  they  approach  our  present  docks.  The  tide  daily  ebbs  and 
flows  over  numerous  wharves,  that  one  hundred  years  ago  were 
loaded  with  merchandise.  The  Long  Wharf  suffered  greatly  in 
this  gale.* 

From  this  period  to  the  year  1832,  Newport  was  gradually 

*See  appendix  C. 


ADDRESS.  31 

¥ 

wasting  away.  There  were  still  a  few  merchants  left,  who  kept 
up  a  moderate  business  in  commerce,  and  two  or  three  distil- 
leries, but  otherwise,  there  was  nothing  doing.  Scarcely  a  new 
building  was  erected  between  1808  and  1832,  save  the  new 
Asylum  for  the  Poor,  in  1819,  on  Coasters'  Harbor  Island.  A 
few  occasional  spasms-  kept  us  alive.  Our  ship  owners  gradu- 
ally ran  out,  whaling  languished,  our  packet  system  was  super- 
seded by  the  steam  power  of  other  places,  and  we  were  being 
frittered  away.  Our  young  men  were  really  the  only  article  of 
export  to  any  extent,  and  it  is  universally  conceded  that  our 
contributions  of  this  sort,  to  larger  and  more  prosperous  com- 
munities, was  very  great.  We  see  the  Newport  element  largely 
prevailing  in  many  of  the  towns  and  cities  around  us.  All  of 
you  will  recollect  the  re-union  of  1859.  What  multitudes  of 
the  native-born  returned,  on  that  ever-to-be-remembered  jubi- 
lee, to  join  with  their  parents  and  friends,  whom  some  of  them 
had  long  since  left.  It  is  a  source  of  sincere  gratification,  that 
so  many  of  them  are  occupying  honorable  and  responsible  posi- 
tions in  their  adopted  homes ;  and  while  they  may  have  a  ven- 
eration for  the  home  of  their  youth,  the  discouragement  of  their 
boyhood  days  naturally  dwells  upon  their  minds,  weaning  many 
of  them  most  effectually  from  that  love  of  their  birth-place 
which  a  more  prosperous  condition  would  have  given  them. 
This  is  true.  I  have  seen  many  coming  home  and  comparing 
the  energy  and  business  of  their  new  homes  with  ours;  and 
they  and  their  children  have  lived  long  enough  to  wonder  at  our 
want  of  enterprise,  forgetting  the  causes  that  had  weighed  us 
down. 

The  war,  now  raging  with  such  unparalleled  wickedness, 
over  many  portions  of  our  once  happy  country,  is  producing 
the  same  terrible  consequences  on  the  enterprise  and  prosper- 
ity of  many  of  the  once  flourishing  cities  of  the  South,  such  as 


32  GOV.   COZZENS' 

«r 

we  experienced  in  the  war  of  the  Revolution.  I  will  only  in- 
stance New  Orleans,  in  which  I  see  a  duplicate  of  the  sad  fate 
that  overtook  Newport.  From  having  a  levee,  full  three  miles 
in  length,  piled  up  with  merchandise  and  their  great  staples, 
with  three,  and  often  four  hundred  ships  arid  many  steamboats, 
all  loading  or  unloading  their  valuable  cargoes,  what  do  we 
read  ?  That  business  is  suspended ;  there  are  no  ships,  and 
but  few  steamboats,  except  those  engaged  in  the  war.  The 
business  of  a  month  now,  does  not  equal  the  business  of  a  day 
two  years  ago.  A  late  writer  says,  "  Our  little  business  consists 
of  a  few  hogsheads  of  sugar,  a  few  barrels  of  molasses."  With 
no  heart  for  trade,  their  only  hope  may  be,  that  when  peace 
shall  once  more  smile  upon  them, 'that  the  greater  recuperative 
power  of  these  times  may  save  them  and  restore  their  trade. 

I  have  trespassed,  I  fear,  upon  your  patience,  and  upon  the 
original  object  of  this  address,  but  finding  the  history  of  the 
Long  Wharf  so  closely,  identified  with  the  history  of  Newport, 
I  could  not  well  separate  the  two. 

In  every  town  or  city  there  are  some  trusts  or  gifts  of  a  pub- 
lic nature,  designed  by  benevolent  and  liberal  minds,  to  carry 
out  or  perpetuate  some  favorite  object,  looking  forward  to 
results  long,  perhaps,  after  they  may  have  passed  away ;  reflect- 
ing, oftentimes,  in  judicious  care,  consequences  far  more  impor- 
tant than  their  authors  had  ever  imagined.  Such  may  be  the 
case  before  us.  The  Long  Wharf,  in  Newport,  originating  first 
in  the  17th  century,  was  improved  and  enlarged  in  1702,  by 
way  of  promoting  the  business  of  the  colony  and  rendering  aid 
to  commerce ;  again,  at  sundry  times,  enlarged  and  rebuilt,  un- 
til 1796,  when  the  Trust  we  this  day  celebrate  was  formed;  and 
after  nearly  seventy  years  under  this  organization,  and  almost 
two  centuries  of  existence,  subject  to  all  the  vicissitudes  and 
changes  of  time,  we  are  happy  to  announce  its  triumphant 


ADDRESS.  33 

entrance  upon  a  new  career  of  usefulness  and  prosperity,  with 
a  new  lease  of  life  upon  a  responsible  basis,  a  contract*  having 
been  completed  with  the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad 
Company  for  the  entire  control  of  said  wharf,  and  the  rights 
and  privileges  of  said  Trust  Corporation,  with  liberty  to  enlarge 
and  improve  it  in  any  way  they  please,  at  their  own  expense ; 
the  sfid  wharf  to  be  continued  in  good  order  and  at  an  annual 
payment  of  fourteen  hundred  dollars,  which  amount  (less 
some  small  expenses)  will  be  forever  hereafter  appropriated 
to  the  cause  of  education. 

It  has  been  often  said  "that  men  cannot  live  after  they  are  dead 
by  controlling  what  they  leave  behind ;"  this  is  true  to  a  great 
extent,  but  men  can  live  in  the  everlasting  gratitude  of  their 
fellow-men  by  a  generous  disposition  of  the  means  that  God  has 
given  them ;  by  a  liberal  founding  of  some  institution  of  learn- 
ing or  some  public  benefaction  by  which  their  names  may  be 
continued  in  perpetual  remembrance  by  all  who  come  after  them. 
Such  is  the  case  of  many  of  those  who  have  been  our  citizens  ; 
and  the  name  of  a  Redwood,  a  Collins,  a  Touro,  a  King,f  and 
many  others,  some  of  whom  have  slept  for  a  century,  are  this 
day  thought  of  and  their  noble  deeds  dwell  upon  our  minds  as 
we  celebrate  this  Trust.  As  our  country  increases,  and  with  it 
an  ability  to  do  good,  we  should  encourage  a  liberal  spirit  by 
guarding  with  paternal  care  every  trust  committed  to  our 
keeping. 

This  Long  Wharf  Trust  is  now  established  upon  a  basis  that 
we  hope  will  endure  for  ages.  If  I  could  look  with  a  prophetic 
eye  into  the  future  and  see  even  this  first  lease  with  its  one 
hundred  and  forty  thousand  dollars  expended  in  Public  School 
Houses  and  education  (a  result  of  this  Trust),  how  gladly  would 
I  now  hold  it  up  to  your  view,  but  by  a  wise  Providence  that 

*  See  Appendix  C.  fSee  Appendix,  Note  JB. 


34  GOY.   COZZENS' 

privilege  is  not  allowed  to  mortal  man,  and  happier  far  are  we 
that  it  is  not. 

And  now,  fellow-citizens,  we  have  passed  in  review  the  history 
of  Newport  since  the  year  1700,  in  regard  to  her  business  char- 
acter, her  prospects,  her  adversities,  with  its  various  changes, 
and  to-day  we  find  ourselves  engaged  in  the  interesting  duty  of 
dedicating  this^  edifice  to  the  high  and  noble  purpose  for*which 
it  was  erected.  We  hail  it  as  an  auspicious  epoch  in  our  pres- 
ent history.  I  hope  and  trust  we  are  on  the  eve  of  an  import- 
ant change  in  the  prosperity  and  character  of  Newport;  those 
halycon  days,  which  from  my  earliest  recollections  have  been  the  ( 
theme  of  our  constant  and  unceasing  prayers,  are  beginning  to 
appear.  In  the  adversities  and  vicisitudes  of  war,  our  people 
lost  faith  in  themselves  and  almost  in  their  God,  and  were  look- 
ing forward  with  anxious  solicitude  for  "  somebody  "  to  build  us 
up  and  set  us  agoing.  I  see  before  me  many  of  our  citizens,  who 
can  well  remember  much  that  I  refer  to,  having  lived  the  allot- 
ted period  of  man's  life,  three  score  years  and  ten,  and  even 
some  yet  in  their  strength  who  are  approaching  fourscore  years. 
Yours,  my  friends,  has  been  a  checkered  and  eventful  life ;  com- 
ing on  the  stage  of  action  at  that  unfortunate  and  unhappy 
period  in  our  history  when  the  ravages  and  desolations  of  war 
had  laid  portions  of  your  beautiful  home  in  ashes,  sacrificing  all 
the  accumulations  of  your  fathers,  prostrating  every  enterprise 
and  encouragement  to  persevere.  You  naturally  partook  of  its 
depression  and  have  lived  through  a  long  life  trusting  in  "  Hope  " 
(the  acknowledged  and  appropriate  motto  of  our  State)  that  you 
may  live  to  see  the  dawn  of  a  sure  prosperity,  in  which  your 
descendants  (if  not  yourselves)  may  realize,  amid  the  unsurpas- 
sed surroundings  of  your  island  home,  opportunities  for  business 
and  success  such  as  this  town  once  before  enjoyed.  The  rail- 
road, destined  soon  to  connect  us  with  the  rest  of  the  world,  we 


ADDRESS.  35 

hope  will  do  its  part;  it  will  save  us  from  that  complete 
isolation  which  has  sometimes  befallen  us ;  it  will  give  us  many 
of  those  advantages  which  have  built  up  other  places ;  it  will 
put  us  in  direct  and  more  reliable  communication  with  Boston, 
the  great  central  city  of  New  England,  and  give  us  facilities  for 
reaching  New  York,  also  by  railroad.  It  will  help  our  commerce, 
bring'to  us  men  of  capital  to  enjoy  the  thousand  blessings  which 
are  our  portion  here,  and  which  have  been  the  admiration  of  the 
seeker  for  health  or  pleasure  for  more  than  a  century. 

A  late  distinguished  scholar  and  orator*  of  Providence,  some 
twenty  years  ago,  while  delivering  an  address  before  the  Legis- 
lature and  people  of  Rhode  -Island,  in  speaking  of  Newport,  its 
general  and  political  character,  says — "  What  touching  memo- 
ries does  it  awaken  of  the  venerated  and  heroic  dead,  who  once 
adorned  this  ancient  seat  of  wealth,  and  talent,  and  social 
elegance,  and  who  now  slumber  amid  these  scenes  of  placid  and 
imperishable  beauty."  Again,  he  says — "  In  the  vicissitudes  of 
human  affairs,  Newport  has  declined  from  her  ancient  wealth 
and  splendor ;  but  within  her  and  around  her  are  left  sources 
of  enjoyment  which  mock  the  power  of  time  and  of  change, — the 
living  spirit  of  beauty  which  pervades  her  hills  and  vales, — the 
eternal  sublimities  which  dwell  around  her  shores." 

God  speed  the  time  when  Newport,  with  all  these  surround- 
ings, may,  in  the  future  vicissitudes  of  human  affairs,  again 
assume  those  early  days  of  wealth  and  splendor ;  and,  amid  the 
attractions  which  live  within  her,  may  we  not  hope  that  we  shall 
catch  the  inspiration  of  the  past,  the  renewed  motive  power  of 
the  present,  developing  in  a  successful  future  this  beautiful 
island,  studded  all  over  with  cottages  and  palaces — the  happy 
home  of  a  free,  enterprising,  virtuous,  and  heaven-protected 
people. 

*  Hon.  Wm.  G.  Goddaid,  a  Professor  in  Brown  University. 
26 


36  GOV.    COZZENS' 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  foregoing  address,  Gov.  Cozzens 
turned  to  His  Honor,  Mayor  Cranston,  and  the  City  Council, 
and  spoke  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Mayor  and  Gentlemen  of  the  City  Council : 

In  the  year  1795,  thirty-six  of  the  most  distinguished  merchants 
of  Newport,  forming  a  voluntary  association,  united  in  a  petition 
to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  State,  representing  that  the  Long 
Wharf  in  Newport  having  been  destroyed  during  the  war  of 
the  Revolution,  was  lying  waste,  and  trusting  that  in  time  the 
business  of  the  place  may  be  in  some  measure  restored,  asking 
authority 'as  a  Board  of  Trustees  to  raise  by  lottery  (the  pop- 
ular and  universal  way  to  raise  money  in  those  days)  the  sum- 
of  $25,000  to  aid  in  rebuilding  said  wharf  and  build  a  hotel; 
proposing  that  all  rents  and  profits  that  should  accrue  from  said 
Trust,  should  be  devoted  to  public  schools  in  Newport.  In 
1798,  the  town  voted  their  rights  in  said  wharf  to  the  Trustees ; 
the  General  Assembly  made  the  grant;  the  organization  was 
perfected;  in  time,  the  wharf  was  rebuilt.  The  amount  raised 
by  the  lottery  was  not  sufficient  to  build  the  hotel,  nor  was  it 
needed,  the  principal  income  being  required  to  finish  the  wharf, 
and  has  ever  since  been  expended  in  widening  and  improving 
the  property.  A  small  public  school  was  supported  by  the 
Trustees  from  1815  to  1832,  in  the  house  given  to  the  Trustees 
by  Mr.  Simeon  Potter.  At  this  time,  the  town  having  fully 
established  public  schools,  this  school  was  abandoned.  Since 
then  many  improvements  have  been  ( made  to  the  wharf,  and  to- 
day the  present  Trustees  have  invited  yon  to  participate  with 
them  in  this  celebration,  and  in  dedicating  this  new  and  sub- 
stantial edifice  to  the  sacred  cause  of  learning.  We  have 
erected  it  as  a  memorial  in  honor  of  those  distinguished  men 


ADDRESS.  37 

(long  since  deceased)  who  originated  this  Trust,  and  to  those 
who  have  since  aided  in  carrying  out  their  benevolent  designs. 

We,  their  successors,  to-day,  rejoice  to  meet  you  in  this  beau- 
tiful building  and  offer  you  its  free  use  and  occupancy  so  long 
as  it  may  be  required  for  the  purposes  of  education.  We  hold 
that  Trust  in  perpetual  succession,  and  propose  to  continue  our 
organization,  and  to  expend  our  means  for  the  noble  objects 
designed  by  its  founders  in  such  a  way  as  will  best  subserve  the 
cause  of  public  schools,  the  requirements  of  the  city,  and  do 
honor  to  the  memory  of  all  who  have  so  faithfully  devoted 
themselves  to  promote  this  most  worthy  object. 

The  Trustees  have  lately  executed  a  lease  of  their  wharf  to 
the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad  Company  for  one  hundred 
years,  with  the  privilege  of  further  renewal,  the  lessees  to  keep 
it  in  repair,  and  make  all  such  improvements  as  their  business 
may  require  at  their  own  expense,  free  from  any  cost  to  the 
Trustees.  So  that  hereafter,  Mr.  Mayor,  when  this  building 
shall  all  be  paid  for,  we  shall  have  over  twelve  hundred  dollars 
a  year  to  devote  to  the  general  objects  of  education. 

I  have,  therefore,  the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  the  Chair- 
man of  the  Board  of  Trustees  will  now  place  in  your  hands  the 
keys  of  this  beautiful  School  House,  with  all  its  completeness, 
trusting  it  will  ever  receive  the  liberal  care  of  the  City  Gov- 
ernment and  School  Committee  of  Newport,  and  prove  a  valu- 
able addition  to  the  school  accommodations  of  our  city. 

•    PRESENTATION   OF   KEYS. 

D.  Gr.  Cook,  Esq.,  then  presented  the  keys  to  His  Honor, 
Mayor  Cranston,  with  the  following  rema'rks : 

The  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf,  by  their  vote,  have  author- 
ized and  requested  me,  as  their  Chairman,  to  place  in  your 
hands  the  keys  of  this  building,  which  duty  it  now  gives  me 
pleasure  to  perform. 


38  MAYOR   CRANSTON'S 


RESPONSE   OF   MATOE   CRANSTON. 


Gov.    Cozzens,  Mr.    Chairman,  and    Gentlemen   of  the  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf: 

In  behalf  of  the  City  Council  I  receive  from  your  Chairman 
the  keys  of  the  noble  and  well  arranged  Public  School  House 
in  which  we  are  assembled.  You,  as  well  as  your  predecessors, 
are  entitled  to  the  thanks  of  the  community  for  the  faithful 
manner  in  which  your  duties  have  been  gratuitously  discharged 
for  nearly  three-quarters  of  a  century.  This  building,  so  archi- 
tecturally beautiful,  and  so  admirably  adapted  in  all  respects  for 
the  important  purpose  for  which  it  is  hereafter  to  be  used,  will 
always  be  a  proud  monument,  attesting  the  fidelity  and  liberal- 
ity of  the  Trustees,  and  at  the  same  time,  be  the  educational 
home  where  thousands  of  tender  minds  will  be  cultivated  and 
prepared  for  usefulness  in  all  the  duties  of  future  life.  Thus  I 
receive  it  in  behalf  of  the  city,  and  thank  you  and  your  associates 
for  all  your  disinterested  labor.  Your  interesting  account  of 
the  Trusteeship  will  be  a  valuable  contribution  to  the  history  of 
our  ancient  city. 

In  proportion  as  the  children  are  properly  educated,  will  the 
men  and  women  of  each  generation  be  ennobled;  as  the  mind 
is  judiciously  cultivated,  so  is  the  heart  purified,  the  soul  enriched, 
and  the  men  and  women  made  nobler  instruments  of  God  on 
earth  for  the  accomplishment  of  his  original  creative  plans. 
Life  is  the  great  alembic  in  which  all  the  elements  of  human 


ADDRESS.  39 

character  are  bein£  severely  tried ;  and  the  result  of  this  last 
great  and  fearful  test  will  depend  very  materially  upon  how  the 
children  are  educated,  and  what  use  they  make  of  that  educa- 
tion. We  shall  hereafter  be,  in  a  measure,  responsible  for  the 
nature  and  extent  of  the  means  which  we  provide  for  this  pur- 
pose; and  the  recipients  will  be  equally  answerable  for  the 
manner  in  which  they  use  the  result  of  those  means.  Let  us 
earnestly  hope  that  during  long  years  to  come,  those  who  are 
instructed  within  these  walls,  will  so  improve  their  rich  oppor- 
tunities, as  to  enable  them  to  enter  upon  the  active  duties  of 
life,  with  the  firm  purpose  to  be  faithful  in  all  things,  and  ever 
continue  useful  members  of  society. 

At  the  conclusion  of  these  remarks,  Mayor  Cranston  turned 
to  the  Rev.  A.  H.  Dumont,  D.  D.,  Chairman  of  the  Public  School 

Committee,  and  addressed  him  as  follows : 

if 

Mr.  Chairman  and  Gentlemen  of  the  Public  School  Committee : 

Having  received  the  keys  of  this  noble  edifice  from  the 
Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf,  by  whose  faithfulness  and  magnifi- 
cence it  has  been  erected,  it  is  my  duty  now,  in  behalf  of  the 
City  Council,  to  deliver  them  to  you.  This  substantial  and 
admirably  arranged  building  is  to  be  used  hereafter  for  educa- 
tional purposes,  under  the  management  of  you  and  your 
successors,  for  years  to  come.  You  and  your  predecessors  have 
labored  earnestly,  faithfully  and  gratuitously,  for  many  years, 
in  advancing  the  cause  of  education,  and  training  the  minds  of 
children,  from  early  youth  to  early  manhood, — and  thus  prepar- 
ing them  to  enter  properly  upon  the  discharge  of  the  duties 
which  they  but  indefinitely  anticipate,  but  which  we  fully  realize 
from  experience. 


40  MAYOR   CRANSTON'S 

A  substantial  education  is  the  only  soli'd  basis  upon  which 
human  character,  in  its  noblest  and  most  useful  development, 
can  be  established;  educate  the  masses  plainly,  substantially 
and  thoroughly, — teach  them  to  love  God  and  fear  his  dis- 
pleasure,— to  obey  willingly  all  laws,  whether  divine  or  human, 
and  forever  be  loyal  on  earth, — and  there  will  be  a  race  who 
will  fully  comply  with  the  divine  requirements,  especially  for 
peace  on  earth  and  good  will  among  men. 

The  character  of  the  people  of  this  country,  for  generations 
to  come,  is  daily  being  moulded  and  formed  in  the  Public 
Schools  and  the  Sabbath  Schools ;  these  invaluable  Institutions 
are  the  great  earthly  nurseries  where  these  seeds  of  hope  and 
promise,  these  buds  of  immortality,  are  being  expanded  and 
ripened  into  maturity,  and  prepared  for  that  new  garden  of 
Eden  where  the  tempter  and 'destroyer  can  never  enter.  The 
responsibility  of  those  to  whom  these  children  are  entrusted, 
for  the  formation  and  cultivation  of  their  minds,  is  great  and 
fearful  indeed.  The  hearts,  as  well  as  the  intellects,  of  the 
children  should  be  carefully  and  thoroughly  educated.  If  you 
train  only  the  mind — if  you  perfect  that,  as  far  as  perfection 
can  exist  on  earth,  and  neglect  the  cultivation  of  the  heart, — 
neglect  the  Bible,  neglect  the  Sabbath  School,  and  desecrate 
God's  holy  day  of  rest, —  you  may  raise  a  nation  of  intellectual 
giants,  but  it  will  be  a  nation  of  moral  monsters,  whose  acts, 
deeds,  and  influences  will  equal,  if  not  exceed,  those  who  lived 
on  earth  before  the  deluge.  There  is  no  vice  which  is  so  potent 
and  terrible,  there  is  no  licentiousness  which  is  so  captivating, 
desolating,  and  fatal,  as  that  which  emanates  from  a  strong 
and  polished  mind,  which  recognizes  no  power  above  its  own, 
no  paradise  but  earth,  and  no  pleasure  but  that  which  is  of  the 
passing  moment.  If*  the  people  of  this  country  should  ever  be 
of  that  class,  a  more  fearful  doom  awaits  us  than  that  which 


ADDRESS.  41 

befel  the  ancient  cities  of  the  East.  As  you  purify  and  ethereal- 
ize  the  individual,  so  do  you  elevate  and  ennoble  the  national 
character.  There  are  national  as  well  as  individual  sins ;  and 
the  great  Judge  of  the  universe  will  punish  the  one  as  well  as 
the  other.  Childhood-  is  the  sweet  and  happy  portion  of  our 
lives;  then  only  little  clouds  hover  over  the  delicate  brow,  and 
but  trifling  troubles  perplex  the  tender  mind.  These  buds  of 
innocence  have  scarcely  a  care  or  responsibility,  and  when  the 
pleasures  of  the  day  are  over,  they  lay  their  weary  forms  to 
rest,  and  are  soon  lost  in  slumber,  while  their  souls  wander  to 
a  beautiful  dream-land,  where  all  is  fragrant  as  the  blossoming 
Spring.  In  the  morning  they  awake,  as  the  early  notes  of  the 
birds,  which  are  God's  little  messengers  of  love  and  harmony, 
are  breaking  upon  their  ears,  making  the  air  melodious  with 
echoes,  as  it  were,  of  the  perfect  music  of  the  new  Paradise — 
and  arise  with  the  sun,  refreshed  by  repose,  and  with  light  and 
glad  hearts  commence  the  duties  of  the  day.  Thus  they  pass 
the  early  morning  of  life,  until  they  gradually  approach  the 
years  of  manhood,  when  cares  surround  them  and  anxieties 
perplex  them.  Then  the  whole  scene  is  changed,  for  they 
commence  the  arduous  and  responsible  duties  which  are  imposed 
on  all, — and  they  must  perform  their  part  in  the  great  and 
thrilling  drama  of  human  life.  The  formation  of  the  character  . 
is  the  most  important  and  responsible  trust  that-is  confided  to 
parents,  guardians,  and  teachers ;  and  those  who  execute  it  with 
scrupulous  fidelity,  discharge  an  onerous  duty  for  which  they 
will  be  rewarded  hereafter  in  that  better  land  where  there  will 
be  but  one  infallible  Teacher  and  one  perfect  school. 

Into  your  hands,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  deliver  these  keys,  and  to 
you,  your  associates  and  successors;  entrust  this  building,  with 
entire  confidence  that  the  generosity  of  the  donors  will  be  fully 
appreciated  by  all  parties  interested,  and  the  rich  fruits  of  that 
generosity  enjoyed  by  generations  to  come. 


42  REV.  A.  H.  DUMONT'S 

Response  of  Rev.  A.  H.  Dumont,  Chairman  of  Public  School 

Committee : 

•      ^ 

Mr.  Mayor  ancL  Gentlemen  of  the  City  Council : 

Among  the  difficulties  which  have,  at  times,  surrounded  the 
School  Committee,  and  have  hindered  their  efforts  to  promote 
the  best  interests  of  the  Public  Schools,  not  the  least  has  been 
that  of  procuring  school-rooms  in  proper  locatio-ns,  and  adequate 
to  the  needs  which  existed.  To  this  general  rule  this  section  of 
our  city  has  been  no  exception. 

The  inconvenient  place,  now  and  for  some  years,  used  by  the 
schools  of  this  district,  was,  at  its  first  occupancy,  hailed  by  the 
Committee  and  the  people  as  a  very  great  advance  on  any  pre- 
vious accommodation.  You  may  easily  fancy,  sir,  what  was  the 
gratification  and  what  was,  I  may  add,  the  gratitude  of  the  Com- 
mittee and  of  the  inhabitants,  of  this  Ward,  when  it  was 
announced  that  the  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf  intended  to 
erect  a  convenient  and  beautiful  house  for  their  accommodation. 

And  now,  to-day,  when  we  here  behold  the  full  execution  of 
that  purpose  carried  out  with  so  much  taste  and  such  large  lib- 
erality ;  and  looking  forward,  as  we  well  may,  to  results,  which, 
under  the  blessing  of  God,  we  have  a  right  to  expect,  we  may 
well  be  pardoned  if  our  emotions  are  too  mighty  for  utterance. 

Philanthropists,  who,  for  successive  years,  are  brought  into 
constant  intercourse  with  young  minds  in  their  course  of  educa- 
tion, and  who  have  culture  and  intelligence  enough  to  appreciate 
the  influence  of  comfort  and  beauty  in  the  development  of  mind 
and  heart,  must  rejoice  in  the.  help  which  such  appliances  as 
these,,  so  artistically  and  tastefully  arranged,  will  furnish  for  the 
carrying  on  of  the  work  of  drawing  out,  improving  and  adorning 
the  mental  faculties  of  those  entrusted  to  their  care. 


ADDRESS.  43 

I  can  speak  with  knowledge  and  with  confidence  of  the  deep 
solicitude  with  which  these,  my  associates,  have  looked  forward 
to  this  hour  and  to  these  services  which  assure  us  that  the 
grand  and  holy  purpose  of  these  Trustees  is  completed.  I  can 
vouch  for  their  gratitude ;  and  I  believe  that,  by  this  good  work, 
they  will  be  stimulated  to  devote  their  best  efforts  to  fulfil  the 
ultimate  object  of  these  generous  givers,  namely,  the  cultivation 
of  immortal  minds  for  usefulness  and  happiness. 

In  the  name  of  the  Public  School  Committee,  in  the  name  of 
the  present  and  future  generations  of  parents  and  children  who 
are  to  reap  the  benefits  of  this  god-like  act,  I  thank  these 
Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf  for  what  they  have  done ;  and  I 
thank  you,  sir,  and  your  associates  of  the  City  Council,  for 
what  you  have  done,  cheerfully  done,  and  for  what  you  are  still 
willing  to  do,  for  the  blessed  cause  of  Public  Schools. 

At  this  point,  Governor  Cozzens  stated  to  the  audience  that 
the  State  Commissioner  of  Public  Schools,  Henry  Rousmaniere, 
Esq.,  was  present,  a  Newport  boy,  whom  he  well  remembered 
in  his  school  days,  and  he  took  great  pleasure,  in  introducing 
him  on  this  interesting  occasion.  Mr.  Rousmaniere  stepped 
forward  and  addressed  the  audience  as  follows : 

Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

I  am  here,  as  a  native  of  Newport,  to  express  emotions 
which  are  as  much  yours  as  mine.  I  am  here  also,  as  a  humble 
brother  in  the  great  brotherhood  of  educators,  to  utter  a  few 
words  of  congratulation  upon  the  dedication  of  this  noble  tem- 
ple. He,  whose  young  heart  deeply  loved  beauty  in  art  and 
nature,  has  a  right  in  manhood  to  confess  his  love.  Standing 
in  the  midst  of  this  attentive  throng,  and  surrounded  by  this 
27 


44  MR.  ROUSMANIERE'S 

beautiful  scenery,  my  soul,  growing  warm  under  the  sunshine  of 
the  recollections  of  schoolboy  pleasures,  almost  melts  itself  into 
words  as  I  speak. 

It  seems  but  yesterday  that  we  were  schoolboys  together, 
wandering  during  holidays  over  fields  or  on  the  beach.  We 
generally  tried  to  excel  in  our  studies.  If  occasionally  lazy, 
our  teachers  reminded  us  of  the  giants,  all  sons  of  Newport, 
whose  manly  voices  were  then  echoing  in  yonder  State  House, 
or  neighboring  church.  These  appeals  ran  like  a  thrill  of  joy 
through  our  jaded  nerves.  You,  my  young  friends,  are  ad- 
dressed by  the  same  stirring  voices.  The  same  bright  exam- 
ples of  genius,  married  to  learning,  appeal  to  your  desire  for 
distinction.  Listening  to  the  traditions  of  your  fathers,  your 
ears  may  still  catch  the  polished  language  and  classic  sentiments 
of  a  Hunter.  The  silence  of  the  library  is  broken  for  you,  by 
the  sainted  Channing,  as  he  discourses  in  a  strain  so  etherial  as 
to  lead  good  men  to  love  the  writer,  though  they  do  not  sympa- 
thize with  his  theology ;  to  listen  to  the  preacher,  though  they 
do  not  embrace  his  doctrines. 

You,  my  young  friends,  are  admonished  to  do  your  duty  in 
school,  by  the  successful  examples  of  many  others,  who  were 
once,  as  you  are  now,  humble  scholars ;  but  though  their  bodies 
sleep  quietly  under  the  earth,  yet  their  fame  will  know  no 
grave. 

To-day,  in  your  behalf,  our  mature  minds  send  up  blessings 
to  the  Almighty  Giver  of  light  and  grace,  for  this  school-edifice, 
so  much  more  commodious  than  those  which  invited  our  school- 
boy footsteps.  To-day  our  heart  of  hearts  rejoices  that  you  are 
to  receive,  within  these  spacious  rooms,  literary  instruction  far 
more  appropriate  than  that  which  partially  moulded  our  young 
minds. 

I  conjure  you,  the  pupils  of  these  schools,  in  the  hearing  of 


ADDRESS.  45 

my  voice,  to  achieve  success  in  your  studies.  Lay  down  at 
once  a  wise  plan  for  the  disposal  of  your  leisure  hours.  Cling 
to  your  books,  as  the  greatest  poet  of  Portugal  clung  to  his  epic 
poem,  clinching  it  between  his  teeth,  as  he  swam  from  a  sinking 
ship,  safely  ashore.  Perseverance  will  not  always  insure 
wealth  or  happiness.  But  perseverance  will  create  usefulness, 
respectability,  and  power.  Poverty  may  dog  your  steps.  Lux- 
ury may  frown  at  you  on  the  sidewaljks.  School  Committees 
may  pronounce  you  stupid.  Even  your  teacher,  tired  by  your 
perverseness,  may  lose  all  sympathy  for  you.  Yet,  remember 
that  he  who  has  a  strong  will  holds  his  destiny  in  his  own 
hands,  either  for  good  or  ill.  Sixty  years  ago,  there  was  a  lad 
in  Massachusetts  who  was  denounced  as  a  hopeless  reprobate 
by  the  School  Committee,  by  the  Trustees,  and  by  several 
teachers.  At  last  there  came  a  new  teacher ;  he  was  advised 
to  turn  this  lad  out  of  school.  Even  the  father  declared  his 
son  was  incorrigible.  But  the  teacher  had  no  little  experience 
in  human  nature ;  he  treated  the  castaway  firmly,  but  gently. 
He  complimented  him  the  first  day  of  the  term  j  the  lad  looked 
up  astonished,  for  he  feared  a  rough  blow,  instead  of  kind 
words.  It  is  not  necessary  to  narrate  particularly  the  steps  of 
this  scholar  from  despair  to  hope,  from  a  bad  to  a  good  reputa- 
tion. Do  you  not  know  the  name  of  this  unpromising  scholar  ? 
It  was  the  distinguished  statesman  of  New  York,  William  L. 
Marcy,*  so  eminent  as  a  Senator  in  Congress,  so  able  a  Secre- 
tary of  State  in  James  K.  Folk's  administration. 

Begin,  my  young  friends,  now  to  build  up  in  yourselves  the 
elements  of  a  substantial  character.  Another  generation  of 
youth  shall  be  inspired  by  your  deeds  to  work  bravely,  and 
speak  honestly,  for  their  native  State  and  beloved  country. 

*  This  gentleman  was  at  one  time  a  teacher  in  Eleazer  Trevett's  school,  in 
Newport. 


46  ME.  ROUSMANIERE'S 

Never  make  a  promise  to  be  broken;  never  learn  a  fact 
without  ascertaining  the  cause  of  it.  Never  adopt  a  belief 
without  argument.  Never  dislike  a  person  without  cultivating 
charity. 

This,  fellow  citizens,  is  not  a  proper  time  to  go  into  a  minute 
investigation  of  the  errors  in  plans  of  instruction.  I  shall 
allude  to  a  few  briefly.  There  is  the  old  idea,  not  yet  dead,  that 
the  mind,  like  a  log  of  wood,  can  be  chopped  into  any  form. 
Such  was  the  vagary  of  the  Hindoos  who  made  war  on  the 
instincts  of  human  nature  by  their  system  of  caste,  thereby 
depriving  individuals  of  happiness,  and  the  nation  of  independ- 
ence. The  dreams  of  Plato  for  a  state  of  perfection  are  sub- 
lime in  theory,  but  absurd  in  practice.  Lancaster  foolishly  fan- 
cied that  he,  by  his  flying  artillery  of  monitors,  could  create 
genius,  change  nature,  and  install  mere  art  as  the  deity  of  the 
school  room.  His  scheme  was  a  miserable  abortion.  Equally 
disastrous  will  all  efforts  be  to  level  the  distinctions  of  genius, 
and  reduce  the  growth  of  immortal  minds  to  a  mere  mechanical 
routine.  There  is  too  much  routine  even  in  the  best  plans. 
Too  much  homage  is  paid  to  the  lifeless  form  of  words,  and  too 
little  to  the  living  soul  of  thought.  The  mere  memory  is  often 
honored  with  almost  divine  worship,  while  the  analytic  and 
creative  faculties  make  but  a  few  proselytes.  Instruction  is 
often  levelled  so  as  to  render  the  higher  faculties  of  children 
almost  stagnant. 

True  education  fills  the  memory  with  facts,  infuses  a  larger 
life  into  the  reason,  and  brims  the  moral  affections  with  truth. 
Education  aspires  to  lead  men  to  think  well  and  act  nobly. 
How  miserable  that  system  of  cramming  which  hurled  Lord 
Byron  upon  a  world  which  he  hated,  and  which  in  return  hated 
him.  His  passions  were  gorged,  and  his  moral  nature  starved. 
He  was  like  a  ship  on  fire  on  an  ocean  of  gunpowder. 


ADDRESS.  47 

What  was  the  real  value  of  the  instruction  which  brought 
forth  Edgar  Poe  in  agony,  and  nursed  him  with  food  so  bitter 
as  to  pervert  his  whole  moral  taste  ?  His  sensual  passions  sank 
him  to  a  level  with  the  brute,  yet  his  imagination  was  so  lofty 
that  no  modern  eagle  has  scaled  its  dizzy  height. 

The  main  aim  of  education  ought  to  be  to  elevate  the  moral 
affections,  and  thus  promote  the  happiness  of  the  race.  The 
cultivation  of  the  memory,  or  of  any  single  faculty,  cannot  avail 
much.  To  achieve  the  desired  result,  knowledge  must  be  per- 
fumed with  reason  and  baptized  with  conscience.  Education 
ought  also  to  pour  showers  of  light  on  all  the  practical  affairs 
of  life.  It  ought  to  give  dignity  to  labor  and  self-respect  to  the 
laborer.  Knowledge  must  be  taught  to  work  in  low  positions 
without  shame,  and  in  high  ones  without  vanity ;  or,  in  other 
words,  nothing  is  low  that  is  right,  and  nothing  is  high  that  is 
false.  Education  ought  not  only  to  cause  two  blades  of  grass 
to  grow  where  but  one  grew  before,  but  it  ought  to  root  the 
weeds  of  avarice  out  of  public  opinion,  so  that  it  would  be  a 
disgrace  for  one  to  grow  rich  by  thrusting  the  roots  of  usury 
into  the  calamities  of  our  country.  Education  ought  to  develop 
the  individuality  of  each  person,  making  his  opinions  his 
own  as  much  as  his  face  is  his  own.  Men  ought  to  be  taught  to 
think,  not  in  mobs,  not  in  masses,  but  singly,  individually ;  for 
every  man  is  an  orb,  revolving,  not  around  other  human  orbs, 
but,  around  a  great  central  sun,  and  that  sun  is  eternity. 

Education  ought  to  prove  that  there  is  a  law  of  progress  in 
the  human  mind.  The  oracle  of  that  progress  is  neither  fash- 
ion, nor  faction,  nor  self.  The  law  of  progress  cannot  be 
expounded  by  bigotry,  nor  analyzed  by  fanaticism.  Progress  has 
its  home  in  minds  that  have  fathomed  their  weaknesses,  hus- 
banded their  strength,  and  know  how  (whether  it  is  fashionable 
or  unfashionable)  to  be  magnanimous  even  to  an  enemy,  chari- 


48  MR.  ROUSMANIERE'S  ADDRESS. 

table  of  others'  motives,  .self-possessed  in  moments  of  general 
frenzy,  and  heroic  at  all  times.  So  far  as  education  does  not 
seek  to  unfold  the  law  of  progress,  it  commits  a  grave  error. 
Education  can  show  that  progress  is  never  visionary  nor  pre- 
sumptuous. What  is  new,  if  not  practical,  is  of  little  value. 
The  school  house  ought  to  be  the  vestibule  of  the  structure  of 
progress. 

May  all  the  institutions  of  learning  in  this  city  send  every 
year  into  the  community  graduates  grounded  in  every  excel- 
lence. To  physical  beauty  may  they  add  moral  loveliness ;  to 
grace  of  body  may  they  unite  flexibility  and  grace  of  mind. 
May  these  schools  always  be  in  practice,  what  they  are  designed 
to  be  be  in  theory,  —  the  nurseries  of  good  men  and  fair  women ; 
every  hour  being  an  advance  toward  virtue,  justice,  and  patriot- 
ism. When  those  who  are  now  teachers  shall  be  removed  to 
other  stations,  and  those  now  scholars  shall  become  teachers, 
may  the  change,  in  each  instance,  be  an  increase  of  happiness ; 
and  when  you  assemble  in  the  High  School  in  Heaven,  where 
Jesus  is  the  Teacher,  may  all  look  back  to  these  schools  as  the 
first  step  in  the  revolution  whereby  hope  began  to  bud  into 
reality,  knowledge  blossom  into  faith,  and  time  flower  into 
eternity. 

The  Rev.  William  S.  Child,  Rector  of  Zion  Church,  then  pro- 
nounced a  benediction,  when  these  deeply  interesting  services 
were  brought  to  a  close.  The  citizens  were  then  invited  to 
examine  the  different  departments  of  the  building,  which  elicited 
general  satisfaction. 


APPENDIX   A. 


HISTOKICAL    MEMORANDA. 

Historical  reminiscences  of  Newport,  which  are  alluded  to  in  portions  of 
this  address,  with  others  of  interest,  considered  appropriate  in  this 
connection  and  ivorth  preserving. 

The  first  newspaper  printed  in  this  State,  was  the  Rhode  Island  Gazette, 
at  Newport,  in  1732;  this  was  the  fourth  in  New  England.  The  first  pub- 
lished in  New  York,  was  in  1733,  Weekly  Journal.  The  Newport  Mercury, 
which  is  now  in  a  more  flourishing  condition  than  ever,  commenced  June, 
1758,  and  has  been  published  ever  since,  excepting  from  December  2, 1776,  to 
January  5,  1780,  about  three  years,  while  the  town  was  in  the  hands  of  the 
British,  during  which  period  it  was  suppressed. 

In  1737,  Newport  contained  seven  churches,  viz,  one  Episcopal,  two  Con- 
gregational, two  Baptist,  one  Seventh  Day  Baptist,  and  one  for  Quakers. 

In  1742,  the  most  elegant  and  expensive  mansion  in  New  England,  if  not 
in  America,  was  erected  near  Miantonomi  Hill,  on  the  spot  now  occupied  by 
the  residence  of  the  family  of  the  late  J.  Prescott  Hall.  It  was  built  for, 
and  occupied  by,  Godfrey  Malbone,  then  doing  an  extensive  business  here ; 
he  was  considered  the  wealthiest  and  principal  merchant  of  those  days  on 
this  continent.  The  house  was  destroyed  by  fire  on  the  17th  June,  1766, 
during  the  preparation  for  a  dinner  party,  to  be  given  to  a  number  of  distin- 
guished people,  then  on  a  visit  to  Newport.  Mr.  Malbone  died  in  1768. 

In  1749,  the  clearances  at  the  House  of  Customs  on  foreign  voyages,  were 
one  hundred  and  sixty,  and  entries  of  arrivals,  seventy-five. 

1750.  October  20th. — A  remonstrance  was  sent  from  this  town,  passed  in 
town  meeting,  to  the  General  Assembly,  against  the  proposed  emission  of 
paper  money,  stating  that  the  town  of  Newport,  the  first  and  largest  town 


50  APPENDIX  A. 

in  the  colony,  did  not  see  any  necessity  for  any  such  emission  of  bills,  and  in 
a  most  forcible,  elaborate,  and  business-like  document,  portrayed  its  evil 
consequences  ;  this  paper  covers  several  pages  on  the  town  records  of  1750, 
but  is  somewhat  imperfect,  in  its  being  copied  from  the  original  record,  which 
was  sunk  at  Hurl  Gate,  near  New  York,  alluded  to  elsewhere.  It  was  really 
a  very  able  document,  and  is  well  suited  to  the  condition  of  our  country  even 
at  the  present  time. 

1753.  It  was  estimated  at  this  time  that  there  were  over  three  hundred 
sail  of  vessels,  from  sixty  tons  and  upwards,  owned  in  Newport. 

1755.  Newport  contained  6,754  inhabitants,  not  including  all  doing 
business  as  seamen,  who  were  absent  at  the  time  of  taking  the  census. 
Providence  contained  3,159. 

1758.  August. — To  show  the  estimate  that  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
Colony  placed  upon  Newport,  it  appears  that  they  voted  an  appropriation  of 
ten  thousand  pounds  sterling  towards  building  and  fortifying  Fort  George, 
provided  the  town  of  Newport  would  vote  five  thousand  more.     The  town 
meeting  called  for  this  purpose  thought  this  very  unreasonable,  and  appoint- 
ed a  committee  to  draw  up  an  address,  requiring  the  Assembly  to  appro- 
priate more  money,  and  show  reason  why  Newport  should  be  taxed  so  much . 

1759.  The  Assembly  ordered  a  State  tax,  in  which  Newport  was  assessed 
£2,200,   and    Providence  £667.     The  members   from   Newport    protested 
against   the   assessment  as  unequal,   and    further  representing  that    the 
merchants  of  Newport  had  lost  over  two  millions  of  money  since  the  com- 
mencement of  the  present  war — the  French  war. 

1761.  An  account  taken  of  the  number  of  houses  in  Newport  at  this 
time,  shows  there  were  888  dwellings,  and  439  warehouses  and  other  build- 
ings. 

1763.  The  Jewish  Synagogue,  on  Touro  Street,  being  finished,  was  dedi- 
cated this  year  on  the  2d  of  December,  to  the  God  of  Abraham,  with  great 
pomp  and  magnificence,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  Hebrews.  There 
were  at  this  time  over  sixty  families  of  Jews  in  Newport,  among  them  many 
merchants  of  great  wealth  and  enterprise. 

1769.  The  first  act  of  violence  and  resistance  to  the  British  authorities 
in  America,  took  place  at  Newport  this  year,  in  the  destruction  of  the  sloop 
Liberty,  one  of  His  Majesty's  armed  vessels  stationed  here. 

1771.  The  English  armed  vessels  stationed  and  rendezvoused  at  Newport 
at  this  time,  consisted  of  two  frigates  and  nine  ships  of  war. 

1774.  A  census  of  the  Colony  this  year.  Whole  number  in  the  Colony 
59,628,  viz:  54,435  whites,  1,432  Indians,  3,761  negroes.  Newport  con- 


MEMORANDA.  51 

tained  9,209  ;  Providence  4,321 ;  this  only  included  persons  actually  in  the 
place  at  the  time  of  taking  the  census.  Seamen,  of  which  so  many  belonged 
to  Newport,  and  all  others  absent,  were  not  taken  into  the  account ;  those 
added  would  have  increased  the  population  of  the  town  to  about  12  000. 

Resolutions  were  sent  this  year  to  the  town  of  Boston,  in  regard  to  the 
order  of  Parliament,  to  shut  up  their  port,  when  it  was  done  ;  a  town  meet- 
ing was  called,  and  it  was  voted  to  instruct  our  deputies  to  use  their  utmost 
influence  at  the  approaching  session  of  the  General  Assembly  to  procure  and 
offer  relief  to  the  inhabitants  of  said  town  of  Boston,  making  common  cause 
with  their  sufferings. 

1775.  The  harbor  and  bay  of  Newport  were  at  this  time  occupied  by  a 
large  number  of  vessels  of  war,  which  not  only  resorted  here,  as  the  most 
commodious  and  convenient,  but  most  important  naval  station  on  the  whole 
coast  ;  also  with  a  view  to  a  strict  enforcement  of  the  revenue  laws  at  this 
then  most  important  port  of  importation.     In  view  of  the  great  danger  now 
being  apprehended,  large  numbers  of  the  inhabitants,  including  many  of  the 
principal  merchants,  removed  from  Newport,  and  established  themselves  in 
other  and  more  inland  places. 

1776.  On  the  first  of  December,  seventy  sails  of  British  men-of-war  and 
transports  arrived  in  Narragansett  Bay,  destined  for  Newport ;  they  came  in 
by  the  west  passage,  around  the    north  end  of  Conanicut,  and  during  the 
week  they  landed  eight  or  ten  thousand  men  in  Newport,  or  near  by,  at 
Middle  town  ;  several  regiments  landed  on  this  Long  Wharf;  this  was  by  far 
the  most  serious  affliction  we  ever  experienced,  remaining  in  Newport,  and  on 
the  Island,  as  they  did,  long  enough  to  destroy  everything  around  them. 
During  the  operations  of  the  hostile  armies,  a  great  part  of  the  Island  was 
rendered  a  scene  of  desolation  ;    all  the  houses  situated  between  the  two 
armies  were  burnt;    orchards   full  of  fruit  trees  were  cut  down,  wells  filled 
up,  and  every  damage  that  could  be  imagined  was  done,  by  order  of  the 
British  Commander. 

1779.  On  the  morning  of  Monday  October  25,  while  the  British  troops 
were  preparing  to  evacuate  the  town,  a  proclamation  was  made,  requiring 
the  inhabitants  to  keep  within  their  houses  during  the  day,  on  pain  of  death 
for  disobedience. 

The  French  fleet  that  arrived  here  in  July,  proved  a  great  acquisition  ;  at 
every  movement  they  made,  the  officers  of  the  British  vessels  became  alarmed, 
and  on  one  occasion  three  frigates  and  many  other  vessels  were  run  on  shore 
and  fired  ;  others  were  sunk  for  the  purpose  of  obstructing  the  channel. 

The  particulars  connected  with  the  removal  of  the  army,  and  all  their  ord- 
28 


52  APPENDIX  A. 

nance  and  stores,  together  with  the  condition  of  the  town,  is  deeply  interest- 
ing, and  would  make  a  chapter  of  itself.  One  of  the  most  serious  and  wicked 
acts,  was  removing  all  the  Town  and  Probate  records,  which  were  taken 
away  in  one  of  the  transports.  This  act  was  ascribed  to  some  of  the  Royalists 
who  it  was  supposed  intended  to  hold  them  for  the  purpose  of  making  their 
peace  at  some  future  time.  The  vessel  in  which  the  records  were  shipped, 
was  sunk  in  Hurl  Gate  near  New  York,  by  which  accident  they  were  nearly 
all  destroyed,  having  laid  a  long  time  under  water. 

1780.  The  General  Assembly  met  at  Newport,  for  the  first  time  after  the 
evacuation  of  the  Island,  in  September,  and  the  session  was  held  in  the 
Redwood  Library.  The  State  House,  having  been  -used  for  barracks,  and 
hospitals,  was  in  shocking  condition  and  needed  repairs,  etc. 

This  was  the  year  also  of  the  celebrated  cold  winter,  for  forty  days ;  the 
poor  and  suffering  inhabitants  who  had  escaped  the  dangers  of  war,  experi- 
enced the  greatest  distress  for  fuel,  which  could  not  be  had;  the  old  buildings, 
wharf  logs,  and  every  other  expedient  was  resorted  to ;  the  Long  Wharf, 
although  previously  destroyed  to  the  water's  edge,  was  this  year  stripped  of 
everything  in  the  shape  of  a  log,  that  would  burn,  even  though  under  water 
and  very  difficult  to  procure. 

In  1782,  the  Town  Council  of  Newport  made  application  to  Gen.  Carlton, 
in  command  of  New  York,  for  the  return  of  the  Town  records,  which  had 
been  taken  away  at  the  evacuation  of  the  town  in  1779.  In  December  they 
were  returned  under  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a  polite  letter  from  Gen.  0., 
expressing  his  sorrow  for  the  damage  they  had  sustained  by  the  sinking  of 
the  transport,  and  their  having  lain  three  years  without  examination.  When 
received,  they  were  in  such  a  dilapidated  condition  that  there  was  not  energy 
enough  in  our  people  to  attempt  their  restoration  by  re-copying  ;  occasionally 
they  were  resorted  to,  by  some  persevering;  patient  seeker  for  establishing  a 
title,  or  proving  a  claim.  It  was  not  until  December,  1857,  the  authorities 
deemed  it  an  object  to  make  a  thorough  re-copy  of  all  that  could  be  saved 
from  the  records  of  the  Town  Meetings,  by  which  nearly  one  half  has  been 
rescued,  and  that  only  in  part,  as  portions  of  almost  every  line,  and  of  every 
page,  are  imperfect ;  frequently  five  or  ten  pages  together,  perfectly  unintelli- 
gible. The  real  estate  and  Probate  records,  consisting  of  over  thirty  large 
volumes,  were  so  completely  water-soaked,  and  rotted  and  matted  together, 
that  when  opened,  they  crumbled  to  pieces,  and  not  a  single  leaf  could  be 
made  out  perfect ;  they  are  preserved  in  the  record  office  in  this  shape,  sick- 
ening to  behold,  and  almost  useless,  so  far  as  proving  any  title,  or  being  of 
any  ^service. 


MEMORANDA.  53 

1784.  A  French  squadron  arrived  here  on  the  22d  September,  and  on  the 
24th  October  General  Lafayette  arrived  as  the  guest  of  General  Greene. 
This  year -the  General  Assembly  instructed  their  delegates  in  Congress  to 
procure  the  consent  of  that  body,  to  hold  their  next  meeting  at  Newport, 
and  offered  to  furnish  suitable  buildings.    On  the  26th  May,  Mr.  Ellery,  one 
of  the  delegates,  moved  that  Congress  adjourn  to  meet  in  Newport,  on  the 
26th  October.     After  some  debate,  Newport  was  stricken  out,  and  Trenton, 
New  Jersey,  was  substituted. 

1785.  One  John   Goodrich,   senior,   an  American    refugee,  arrived    in 
Newport  soon  after  the  peace,  and  asked  liberty  to  settle  here  with  his  family, 
and   become  an  inhabitant  of  the  town,  offering,  in  case  permission  was 
granted,  to  bring  twenty  sail  of  vessels  which  he  owned,  and  establish  himself 
in  mercantile  business ;  but  as  he  had  taken  an  active  part  during  the  war , 
in  fitting  out  privateers,  etc.,  the  town  voted,  by  a  large  majority,  that  he 
should  not  be  allowed  to  settle  in  the  place. 

From  1775  to  1800  the  newspapers  contain  a  most  wonderful  amount  of 
obituary,  and  biographical  notices  of  the  death  of  the  early  merchants  of 
Newport;  some  of  them  of 'a  very  interesting  character,  showing  their 
position,  the  extent  of  their  business,  etc.,  and  what  is  particularly  noticea- 
ble, the  large  number  of  them  that  died  in  other  cities,  and  inland  towns, 
whither  they  had  retreated  during  the  troublous  days  of  the  Revolution. 

1798.  August  21. — The  frigate  Constitution,  Captain  Barry,  arrived  at 
Newport.  This  is  the  identical  old  ironsides,  that  is  now  stationed  opposite 
the  end  of  Long  Wharf,  moored  at  Fort  Wolcott,  and  used  as  one  of  the  school 
ships  of  the  Naval  Academy,  looking  as  young  as  she  probably  did  on  her 
first  trip  to  Newport,  sixty-five  years  ago — really  she  is  a  veteran. 

1805.  A  new  line  of  packet  ships  was  started  again,  to  ply  between  here  and 
Charleston,  South  Carolina.  From  this  time,  also,  there  were  many  vessels  en- 
gaged in  the  Russia  trade.  Their  cargoes  of  iron  were  principally  landed  on  the 
Long  Wharf.  Business  generally  seemed  to  be  reviving,  when  it  was  sadly 
interrupted  by  the  embargo  of  1808.  From  this  time,  a  general  depression 
again  came  over  our  merchants,  and  for  several  years,  they  labored  under 
great  disadvantages.  During  these  years,  the  Long  Wharf  was  very  much 
used.  So  many  of  the  old  wharves  having  been  destroyed,  this  wharf,  and 
the  stores  that  had  been  built  thereon,  were  very  much  in  demand  ;  but  the 
continued  decline  from  1812  to  1832,  offers  but  few  incidents  sufficiently 
important  to  notice  in  this  connection.  Since  1832,  Newport  has  been  im- 
proving again,  having  attracted  men  of  wealth  from  the  surrounding  cities. 
They  have  been,  and  are  purchasing  lots,  and  building  houses  ;  and  in  time, 


54  APPENDIX  A. 

we  hope  that  they,  or  their  children,  will  realize,  in  their  adopted  home,  the 
advantages  of  our  harbor  and  bay  for  commerce,  and  thus  aid  in  restoring  the 
commercial  prosperity  that  Newport  once  enjoyed. 

There  are  many  very  striking  and  interesting  incidents  in  the  history  of 
these  times,  that  would,  no  doubt,  give  great  satisfaction  to  the  readers  of  this 
Appendix.  I  have  made  a  few  selections  which  have  a  particular  bearing  upon 
the  Long  Wharf,  and  other  points  suggested  in  this  address,  hoping  that 
some  one  may  yet  conceive  the  magnanimous  idea  of  compiling  and  printing, 
in  book  form,  the  historic,  chronological  account  of  material  occurrences, 
from  the  first  settlement  of  Newport,  collected  and  prepared  by  the  late  Hon. 
Henry  Bull,  which  has  been  inserted,  in  small  doses,  in  the  venerable  New- 
port Mercury,  during  the  past  few  years,  adding  to  it  all  matters  of  interest 
that  might  be  gathered  from  other  sources.  There  is  enough  to  make  a  book 
that  would  be  valued  beyond  calculation,  and  would  serve  to  hand  down 
to  future  generations  the  events  of  two  hundred  years,  with  its  traditions,  the 
character  of  the  men  who  once  lived,  flourished,  and  died  on  this  beautiful 
island.  I  commend  this  object  to  the  attention  of  my  fellow  citizens,  hoping 
it  will  be  done,  and  well  done. 


APPENDIX    B 


Abraham  Redwood,  the  founder  and  liberal  patron  of  the  Redwood  Library, 
came  from  Antigua  and  settled  in  Newport  early  in  the  last  century  ;  he 
died  March  8,  1788,  at  the  age  of  79  years. 

Henry  Collins,  a  distinguished  merchant  and  native  of  Newport,  was  born 
in  1699.  Possessed  of  great  liberality  and  enterprise,  he  was  at  the  head 
of  every  public  improvement  in  Newport —  the  extension  of  the  Long  Wharf, 
the  building  of  the  Brick  Market,  &c.,  &c.  His  gift  of  the  beautiful  lot  of 
land  on  which  the  Redwood  Library  was  erected,  in  1748,  will  more,  perhaps, 
than  any  other  of  his  liberal  deeds,  perpetuate  his  name  and  virtues  through 
unnumbered  generations.  One  hundred  and  fifteen  years  have  already 
passed  since  that  generous  gift  was  made  ;  the  parchment  deed  of  which  has 
lately  been  framed,  and  suspended  on  the  walls  of  the  library.  This  library, 
now  enlarged,  renewed,  and  placed  on  a  more  substantial  basis  than  ever 
before,  may  for  hundreds  of  years  to  come  continue  to  present,  in  ever  living 
freshness,  the  name  of  its  munificent  benefactor.  Mr.  Collins  died  in  1770. 

Abraham  and  Judah  Touro,  both  sons  of  Isaac  Touro,  were  born  in  New- 
port, Abraham  in  1774,  Judah  in  1775  ;  they  were  of  the  Jewish  faith  and 
order.  Abraham  became  an  eminent  merchant  of  Boston,  and  at  his  death, 
in  1822,  bequeathed  liberal  sums  of  money  to  keep  in  perpetual  repair  the 
Jewish  Synagogue  in  Newport,  and  the  street  which  bears  his  name.  Judah 
established  himself  in  New  Orleans,  became  one  of  her  heaviest  merchants, 
and  most  munificent  benefactors.  At  his  death,  in  1854,  he,  too,  remembered 
the  land  of  his  birth,  and  the  graves  of  his  ancestors.  The  splendid  fence 
around  the  Jewish  cemetery  was  built  at  his  expense,  and  he  bequeathed 
ample  means  to  keep  it  and  the  cemetery  in  repair  forever.  His  bequest  to 
the  City  of  Newport,  of  ten  thousand  dollars,  towards  the  purchase  of  the 
Stone  Mill  Lot,  now  Touro  Park  ;  also  gifts  to  the  Redwood  Library,  and 
an  endowment  to  the  Synagogue.  These  numerous  instances  of  their  benev- 


56  APPENDIX  B. 

olence  and  generosity  will  establish  their  lives  and  character  beyond  the 
rust  of  time,  and  while  Newport  lasts,  their  names  will  never  be  forgotten. 
Their  remains  were  both  brought  to  Newport,  for  interment  in  the  Jewish 
cemetery  on  Touro  Street. 

Charles  B.  King,  a  native  of  Newport,  born  1786,  died  in  Washington, 
B.C.,  March,  1862,  always  retaining  a  strong  affection  for  his  birth  place. 
His  magnificent  donations  and  bequests  to  the  Redwood  Library,  in  Newport, 
of  all  his  books,  his  engravings  and  plates,  with  a  gallery  of  upwards  of 
two  hundred  pictures ;  besides  one-quarter  of  all  the  residuary  interest  in 
his  estate  ;  yielding,  as  it  will,  nearly  ten  thousand  dollars  in  cash,  together 
with  an  equal  interest  in  his  residuary  estates  (ten  thousand  dollars  more)  to 
the  Young  Ladies'  High  School,  in  Newport  ;  are  remembrances  which  his- 
tory will  ever  perpetuate,  when  the  marble  tablet  will  be  defaced  and  cor- 
roded by  time,  and  the  pure  interest  of  affection  shall  have  outlived  itself! 


APPENDIX    C. 


ABSTEACT 


FROM   THE 


RECOED  OF  THE  LONG  WHARF  TRUSTEES, 

PREPARED  BY  DAVID  G.  COOK,  CHAIRMAN  OF  THE  BOARD. 


1795.  January. — The  first  Record  in  the  book  of  the  doings  of  the 
Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf,  Hotel,  and  Public  School,  is  a  copy  of  the 
Act  of  the  General  Assembly,  passed  at  the  January  session,  1795.  It 
authorizes  thirty-six  persons,  whose  names  are  as  follows  :  Henry  Marchant, 
George  Gibbs,  George  Champlin,  Christopher  Champlin,  James  Robinson, 
Peleg  Clarke,  Henry  Sherburne,  John  Bours,  Oliver  Warner,  John  Handy, 
Francis  Malbone,  Daniel  Mason,  Ethan  Clarke,  Christopher  Fowler,  Simeon 
Martin,  Thomas  Dennis,  John  L.  Boss,  Samuel  Vernon,  Junior,  Christopher 
Ellery,  Christopher  G.  Champlin,  William  Ellery,  Junior,  Daniel  Lyman, 
Isaac  Senter,  Benjamin  Mason,  Aaron  Sheffield,  William  Littlefield,  Silas 
Deane,  Audley  Clarke,  Constant  Taber,  Caleb  Gardner,  Nathan  Bebee, 
Moses  Seixas,  Nicholas  Taylor,  Walter  Channing,  Archibald  Crary,  and 
Robert  Rogers,  to  set  forth  a  scheme  to  raise  by  Lottery  $25,000  for  rebuild- 
ing the  Long  Wharf,  in  Newport,  and  for  building  a  hotel ;  and  they  were 
authorized  to  appoint  managers  for  said  Lottery,  and  that  they,  or  any  eleven 
of  them,  were  authorized  to  appropriate  the  money  so  raised,  for  the  rebuild- 
ing of  the  Long  Wharf,  and  hotel,  and  that  the  said  thirty-six  persons  be 


58  APPENDIX    C. 

appointed  Trustees,  for  the  management  and  direction  of  the  said  Long 
"Wharf  and  hotel,  and  for  receiving  the  rents  and  profits  thereof,  the  net 
amount  of  which,  after  deducting  the  charges  and  repairs  on  the  same,  to  be 
appropriated  to  the  building  and  support  of  one  or  more  public  schools,  for 
the  use  and  benefit  of  the  children  in  said  town,  in  such  manner  as  the  said 
thirty-six  Trustees  may  direct. 

In  case  of  vacancy  by  death,  resignation,  or  otherwise,  of  any  of  the 
Trustees,  the  person  or  persons  to  succeed  to  such  vacancy  shall  be  chosen  by  a 
majority  of  votes  of  the  surviving  Trustees  ;  provided,  that  no  such  choice 
shall  be  made  until  the  Trustees  are  reduced  to  a  less  number  than  twenty* 
one,  which  is  always  to  be  the  number  of  Trustees. 

1795.  February  14.— At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  Henry  Mar- 
chant  was  Chairman,  and  Moses  Seixas,  Secretary,  five  of  the  Trustees  were 
appointed  a  Committee  to  report  a  scheme  for  a  Lottery  ;  four  others  were 
appointed  to  inquire  into  the  rights  by  which  the  Long  Wharf  is  held,  and 
in  what  manner  a  cession  of  the  fee  can  be  made  to  the  Trustees.  The  Act 
of  the  Assembly  was  ordered  to  be  published  in  the  Newport  Mercury,  and 
the  Trustees  were  to  be  notified  to  meet  at  Mr.  Roger's  Academy,  the 
next  Wednesday,  at  6  P.  M. 

February  18. — Twenty-one  Trustees  met.  Voted,  That  George  Gibbs  and 
George  Champlin  be  appointed  Managers,  and  that  they  give  bond  to  the 
State,  for  the  faithful  performance  of  the  Trust,  and  that  they  be  reimbursed 
their  expenses,  and  compensated  for  their  services. 

Moses  Seixas  was  appointed  Secretary  to  the  Board  of  Trustees,  and  to  be 
compensated  for  his  services.  It  was  Voted,  That  the  quantum  for  com- 
pensation to  the  Managers  of  the  Lottery,  and  Secretary,  shall  be  determined 
by  the  Trustees. 

William  Marchant  and  Daniel  Lyman  were  appointed  to  draft  a  Charter 
for  the  Incorporation  of  the  Trustees. 

The  Committee  to  examine  into  the  rights  and  title  to  the  Long  Wharf,  to 
be  continued,  and  as  soon  as  they  can  ascertain  the  same,  they  are  to  consult 
with  Mr  Marchant  and  Mr.  Lyrnan  as  to  the  best  mode  of  procuring  the 
cession  of  the  fee  to  be  invested  in  the  Trustees,  and  that  they  report  the 
draft  of  cession,  conveyance,  and  acts  necessary,  to  the  Trustees. 

Voted,  That  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees  be  convened  whenever  the  Secretary 
and  Managers,  either  of  the- Committee,  or  eleven  of  the  Trustees,  may  think 
proper. 

1795.  Feb.  25. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  notify  G.  Gibbs  and  G. 
Champlin  of  their  appointment  as  Managers  of  the  Lottery,  and  to  make 


LONG   WHARF.  59 

report  at  the  next  meeting.  The  Secretary  was  directed  to  wait  upon  each 
person  appointed  by  the  Legislature  to  set  forth  a  scheme  for  the  Lottery, 
and  those  who  have  not  met  or  acted,  be  requested  to  declare  their  acceptance 
or  rejection  of  their  appointment.  The  thanks  of  the  Trustees  were  voted  to 
Col.  Robert  Rogers,  for  the  use  of  his  academy. 

March  2. — At  at  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  the  Committee  reported  that 
George  Champlin  and  George  Gibbs  accept  their  appointment  as  Managers  of 
the  Lottery.  Five  others  reject  their  appointment,  and  three  more  were 
absent,  and  were  so  previous  to  the  meeting  of  the  first  Board. 

Sept,  9. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  G.  Gibbs  and  G.  Champlin  having 
reported  to  the  meeting  that  Simeon  Potter,  Esq.  had,  by  Deed  of  Gift,  made 
a  donation  of  two  lots  of  land,  on  Easton's  Point  in  Newport,  with  a  dwell- 
ing-house and  store  thereon,  to  be  combined  with  the  Fund  to  be  established 
by  the  Newport  Long  Wharf  and  Public  School  Lottery,  for  the  support  of 
Public  Schools  in  this  town;  it  was  therefore  unanimously 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That  G  Gibbs  and  G.  Champlin  be  requested  to 
present  the  thanks  of  the  Trustees  to  Simeon  Potter,  Esq.  for  his  liberal 
donation,  and  to  assure  him  that  it  shall  be  inviolably  appropriated  to  the 
establishment  and  support  of  Public  Schools,  he  has  so  generously  patron- 
ized. 


THE    FOLLOWING    IS    A    COPY    OF   MR.    POTTER'S    LETTER. 

SWANSEY,  May  16,  1795. 
MESSRS.  GEORGE  GIBBS  AND  GEORGE  CHAMPLIN: 

Gentlemen:  I  saw  in  the  Boston  Centinel,  a  scheme  of  a  Lottery,  for  the 
laudable  intention  of  rebuilding  the  Long  Wharf  in  Newport,  the  building  a 
Hotel,  and  more  especially  establishing  a  Free  School,  which  has  determined 
me  to  make  a  free  gift  of  my  estate  on  the  Point  called  Easton's  Point, 
which  came  to  me  by  way  of  mortgage,  for  a  debt  due  from  Hays  and  Pol- 
lock ;  if  you  will  accept  of  it  in  Trust  to  support  a  Free  School  forever,  for 
the  advantage  of  the  poor  children  of  every  denomination,  and  to  be  under 
the  same  regulations  as  you  desired  the  Free  School  should  be  that  you  design 
to  erect.  If  you,  gentlemen,  will  please  to  get  a  deed  wrote  agreeably  to  the 
intentions  here  manifested,  I  will  sign  and  acknowledge  the  same,  and  send 
it  to  you  for  recording.  I  would  only  mention  that  if  the  situation  is  agree- 
able to  you,  the  house  and  garden  would  do  for  a  schoolmaster,  and  the  oil 
29 


60  APPENDIX   C. 

house,  which  is  large,  might  be  fitted  up  for  the  school  house.     This  as  you 
may  think  proper.     There  is  no  person  here  that  understands  writing  such  a 
deed,  or  I  would  have  sent  it  to  you  completely  executed, 
lam,  gentlemen,  with  respect, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

SIMEON  POTTER. 


Voted,  That  Thomas  Dennis  and  John  L.  Boss,  be  requested  to  take 
charge  of  the  house,  store,  and  land,  presented  by  Simeon  Potter,  lo  rent 
the  same,  and  appropriate  the  rents  to  the  repairs,  in  such  manner  as  they 
may  deem  most  advantageous. 

Voted,  That  G.  Champlin,  J.  Robinson,  and  D.  Lyman,  be  requested  to 
apply  to  the  Society  of  Friends  in  this  town,  and  solicit  a  relinquishment  of 
the  quitrent  on  said  lots. 

The  Managers  of  the  Lottery  proposed  to  fix  the  drawing  of  the  Lottery 
for  the  first  Thursday  of  January  next,  which  was  agreed  to  by  the  Board. 

1796.  Nov.  20. — At  a  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  in  consequence  of  several 
of  the  proprietors  of  the  Long  Wharf  (east  of  Gravelly  Point)  having  vol- 
untarily offered,  for  themselves,  and  given  encouragement  that  the  whole  of 
the  proprietors  would  relinquish  to  the  Trustees,  for  the  public  uses  they 
were  appointed  for,  all  the  right,  title,  and  interest  the  present  proprietors 
have  in  and  to  that  part  of  the  Long  Wharf  from  the  west  side  of  Gravelly 
Point  to  the  channel  west  of  it,  therefore,  it  is 

Voted  and  Resolved,  That,  J.  L.  Boss  and  three  others  be  appointed  a 
Committee  to  apply  to  said  proprietors  for  a  cession  of  the  same  to  this 
Trusteeship,  to  and  for  the  public  uses  they  were  appointed  for ;  and  that 
upon  such  cession,  with  a  legal  title  to  that  part  of  the  wharf  west  of  Grav- 
elly Point,  if  the  proprietors  will  stipulate  to  put  and  keep  in  good  repair 
that  part  of  the  Long  Wharf  eastward  of  Gravelly  Point,  which  shall  be 
retained  by  them  ;  that  then  the  Trustees  will,  immediately  after  the  open- 
ing of  the  spring,  commence  to  rebuild  the  aforesaid  part  of  the  Long  Wharf 
so  ceded  to  them,  and  keep  the  same  in  good  repair.  The  Committee  are 
also  to  inform  the  said  proprietors  that  unless  a  legal  and  absolute  title  or 
cession  shall  be  made  to  the  Trustees,  they  cannot  undertake  the  rebuilding 
of  the  wharf.  An  immediate  answer  is  required,  in  order  that  the  Trustees 
may  govern  themselves  accordingly. 

Adjourned  to  Monday  evening,  5th  December. 


LONG  WHARF.  61 

December  5. — At  the  meeting,  no  quorum  being  present,  no  business  was 
done. 

The  Committee  observe,  that  from  the  number  of  unsettled  acounts,  it  is 
impossible  to  ascertain  what  prizes  have  not  been  demanded  within  the  time 
limited  by  the  scheme  ;  but  when  their  accounts  are  finally  closed,  the  Lot- 
tery will  be  benefitted  by  the  amount  of  all  prizes  which  shall  not  have  been 
paid  by  the  managers,  or  persons  who  have  sold  shares  and  tickets  on  account 
of  the  Lottery. 

The  committee  appointed  to  expend  the  rents  of  the  school  house  in  re- 
pairs, report  that  there  is  now  due  $118.33. 

Voted,  That  all  the  rents  that  may  be  due  for  six  months  for  the  school 
house  be  expended  in  repairs,  the  balance  to  be  paid  from  the  funds  of  the 
Lottery. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  report  apian  for  rebuilding  the  Long  Wharf, 
and  an  estimate  of  the  cost. 

The  proprietors  of  Easton's  Point  released  and  quitclaimed  the  two  lots 
given  by  Simeon  Potter  from  all  demands  for  quitrent,  by  deed  dated  March 
5,  1796,  to  the  Trustees,  called  in  the  deed,  "  The  Newport  Incorporated 
School  Committee." 

1798.  March  22. — At  a  meeting,  the  Committee  to  adjust  the  accounts  of 
the  Managers  of  the  Lottery,  made  the  following  report : 

That  they  have  examined  and  adjusted  said  accounts  and  find 

there  is  deposited  in  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  $6,576  17 

Balance  of  accounts  and  notes  deposited  in  said  Bank  for  collection,     5,973  97 

Making,  $12,550  14 

There  is  no  record  of  how  much  was  realized  from  the  accounts  and  notes 
above  mentioned,  out  of  which  there  will  be  a  small  deduction  for  charges  on 
the  sale  of  shares  and  tickets.  They  report  that  the  Lottery,  on  the  part  of 
the  Managers,  has  been  conducted  with  the  most  perfect  regularity  and 
punctuality,  and  they  have  generously  relinquished  their  commissions  for 
their  management,  and  they,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  highly  merit 
the  thanks  of  the  Trustees  and  the  public. 

The  report  was  unanimously  accepted  and  the  substance  ordered  to  be 
published  in  the  Newport  Mercury,  with  the  thanks  of  the  Trustees  to  Messrs. 
G.  Gibbs  and  G.  Champlin  for  their  faithfulness  in  the  management  of  the 
Lottery,  and  for  their  generosity  in  declining  to  accept  any  commission  or 
compensation. 


62  APPENDIX   C. 

Resolved,  That  the  moneys  standing  in  the  names  of  the  Managers  on  the 
books  of  the  bank  be  transferred  to  the  credit  of  the  Trustees  at  said  bank. 

The  Committee  are  also  directed  to  receive  all  notes  and  unsettled  accounts 
of  the  Lottery,  and  to  call  for  payment  thereof,  as  soon  as  may  be,  and  deposit 
the  cash  as  collected  in  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  in  the  name  of  the  Trustees. 

Resolved,  That  Messrs.  Gibbs  and  Champlin  be  discharged  from  their 
responsibility  as  Managers,  an^  that  application  be  made  to  the  Legislature 
that  the  bonds  given  to  the  State  be  surrendered  to  them  and  cancelled. 

Resolved,  That  the  Committee  appointed  for  obtaining  the  right  and  title 
to  the  lower  part  of  the  Long  Wharf  be  instructed  to  apply  to  the  Town 
Council  for  a  meeting  of  the  town  to  take  into  consideration  the  mode  of 
transferring  the  right  of  the  lower  part  of  said  Long  Wharf  to  the  Trustees, 
for  the  uses  for  which  the  money  raised  by  Lottery  is  to  be  appropriated. 

A  Committee  was  appointed  to  prepare  rules  and  regulations  for  the  well 
ordering  and  government  of  the  Trusteeship. 

1799.  February  23.     The  Committee  appointed  to  report  a  plan  for  re- 
building the  Long  Wharf  not  having  effected  the  purpose,  S.  Vernon  and 
S.  Dean  were  added  to  the  Committee. 

April  15. — Resolved,  That  the  Committee  advertise  in  the  public  papers 
for  propositions  for  building  the  Long  Wharf  by  contract,  to  state  the  manner 
in  which  it  is  to  be  built,  the  materials  required,  the  depth  of  water,  and 
every  particular  in  detail ;  that  they  be  authorized  to  divide  the  same  into 
several  contracts  in  such  manner  as  will  facilitate  the  undertaking,  and  when 
offers  are  received  to  lay  them  before  the  Trustees. 

July  19.— Resolved,  That  J.  L.  Boss,  S.  Vernon,  T.  Dennis,  C.  Fowler  and 
D.  Lyman  be  a  Committee  to  build  the  Long  Wharf,  and  are  authorized  to 
make  contracts  and  adopt  such  measures  as  are  necessary  to  complete  the 
same,  keeping  in  view  that  they  are  not  to  exceed  the  amount  of  funds  appro- 
priated for  that  purpose,  and  that  the  said  Committee  be  authorized  to  draw 
on  the  Treasurer  for  such  sums  as  may  be  necessary  for  the  completion  of  the 
Wharf. 

Constant  Taber  was  appointed  Treasurer,  and  authorized  to  receive  all 
moneys  on  account  of  the  Institution,  and  to  pay  all  drafts  drawn  by  any 
three  or  more  of  the  Committee,  to  build  the  Long  Wharf.  T.  Dennis  and 
J.  L.  Boss  authorized  to  expend  the  rentfc  received  for  the  house  on  the  Point 
in  repairs,  and  settle  their  account  with  the  Treasurer. 

1800.  April  28.— The   Committee  for  building  the  Long  Wharf  were 
directed  to  proceed  in  completing  said  wharf,  in  such  manner  as  they  may 


LONG  WHARF.  63 

think  proper,  and  that  the  money  raised  by  the  rent  of  the  wharf,  or  lease 
of  lots  adjoining  the  same,  be  pledged  for  defraying  the  expenses  incurred  in 
finishing  the  wharf,  in  addition  to  the  moneys  heretofore  appropriated  for 
that  purpose. 

Resolved,  That  the  use  of  the  building  presented  by  Simeon  Potter,  Esq. 
be  tendered  to  the  town  for  a  school  house,  on  condition  of  the  town  repair- 
ing the  same,  and  paying  such  rent  as  may  be  agreed  upon,  provided  it  is 
appropriated  for  a  school,  conformably  to  the  act  of  the  Assembly  for  estab- 
lishing free  schools,  and  that  it  be  called  the  Public  School. 

1801.  May  11. — At  a  meeting,  the  Committee  to  build  the  Long  Wharf 
represented  that  the  funds  were  expended,  and  that  a  large  sum  of  money 
was  yet  required  for  completing  the  wharf;  it  was,  therefore — 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  borrow  from  the  Bank  of 
Rhode  Island,  in  addition  to  what  is  now  due  said  bank,  $1,800,  at  bank  inter- 
est, which  sum  is  appropriated  towards  completing  the  wharf,  to  be  paid  on 
the  orders  of  the  Committee. 

Voted,  That  the  Long  Wharf,  its  rents,  and  profits,  are  hereby  pledged  to 
the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  as  security  for  the  payment  of  principal  and 
interest,  of  whatever  may  be  due  said  bank.  The  Committee  at  the  next 
meeting  to  report  a  statement  of  the  account  and  contract,  and  that  they, 
with  G.  Gibbs,  G.  Champlin,  and  Caleb  Gardner,  be  a  committee  to  examine 
the  state  of  said  Long  Wharf  and  to  direct  what  is  needful  to  be  done,  and 
that  they  provide  a  plan  for  leasing  the  lots,  and  report  to  the  next  meeting 
of  the  Board. 

1802.  July  19*-*-The  propriety  of  the  Trustees  taking  any  shares  in  the 
Company  forming  for  carrying  water  down  the  Long  Wharf  was  debated,  and 
unanimously  determined  in   the  negative.     A  committee  was  appointed   to 
procure  a  wharfinger.     Thomas  Dennis  was  authorized  to   sell  at   public 
auction,  after  tRree  weeks'  notice,  the  materials  which  composed  the  building 
to  the  eastward  of  the  Potter  House,  and  to  have  the  lot  fenced.     A  com- 
mittee was  authorized  to  examine  the  Long  Wharf  and  to  direct  what   is 
needful  to  be  done.     They  were  also  authorized  to  lease  or  sell  the  building 
lots  on  the  north  side  of  Long  Wharf  belonging  to  the  Institution,  giving 
them  full  power  to  do  whatever  appears  to  them  proper  in  the  premises. 

February  26. — At  a  meeting,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  apply  to  the 
Legislature  to  authorize  the  Treasurer  to  convey  by  deed,  to  the  purchasers 
of  building  lots  on  the  north  side  of  Long  Wharf,  all  the  title  which  the 
Trustees  have  to  the  lots  on  the  day  of  sale. 


64  APPENDIX   C. 

1805.  February  13. — At  a  meeting  a  committee  was  appointed  to  audit 
the  account  of  Jesse  Barlow,  wharfinger,  and  the  said  Committee  were 
requested  to  devise  a  plan  for  making  an  addition  to  the  south  side  of  the 
wharf,  with  an  estimate  of  the  cost,  and  report  to  the  next  meeting,  accom- 
panied with  a  report  of  repairs,  which  the  said  wharf  requires,  and  the  cost. 

Resolved,  That  Thomas  Dennis  be  authorized  to  have  the  aqueduct  water 
carried  into  the  Potter  House,  and  obtain  from  the  tenants  the  best  consider- 
ation he  can  for  the  convenience. 

Voted,  That  Gibbs  and  Channing  have  permission  to  suspend  the  erection 
of  any  building  on  the  easternmost  lot  on  the  Long  Wharf,  until  they  think 
proper,  unless  the  Trustees  should  require  it.  Gibbs  and  Channing  to  lay  a 
platform  for  landing  goods,  and  to  pay  wharfage  on  goods  for  their  own  use, 
the  same  as  if  landed  on  the  north  side  of  their  store  ;  they  are  not  to  make 
said  lot  a  place  of  deposit,  but  are  to  remove  the  goods  as  soon  as  they 
conveniently  can,  other  goods  landed  there  to  pay  wharfage. 

August  26. — At  a  meeting,  the  Committee  to  audit  the  account  of  Jesse 
Barlow,  wharfinger,  reported  the  sum  of  $439.76  due  from  said  Barlow.  It 
was  Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  collect  payment  of  said  Barlow,  also  the 
balance  of  rent  due  on  the  Potter  House. 

Caleb  Gardner  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  Long  "Wharf,  to  make  such 
repairs  as  he  may  deem  necessary ;  said  Superintendent  to  appoint  a  wharfin- 
ger to  be  under  his  control. 

Resolved,  That  yearly,  and  every  year,  the  Trustees  will  meet  on  the  second 
Monday  of  April  for  the  transaction  of  business  that  may  be  necessary,  the 
accounts  of  the  past  year  to  be  exhibited,  and  the  Superintendent  to  report 
what  repairs  and  regulations  may  be  necessary  for  the  succeeding  year. 
Rates  of  wharfage  fixed,  except  that  when  whole  cargoes  are  offered,  circum- 
stances may  require  a  deduction  therefrom. 

1807.  June  15. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  audit  tne  wharfinger's 
and  Treasurer's  accounts,  G.  Champlin  was  appointed  Superintendent  with 
the  powers  of  the  former  Superintendent.  Another  committee  was  appointed 
to  prepare  a  plan  for  widening  the  south  side  of  the  wharf,  with  an  estimate 
of  cost,  etc.  The  Treasurer  was  directed  to  sue  Jesse  Barlow  if  he  does  not 
pay  up  the  balance  due. 

June  29. — The  Committee  to  audit  accounts  reported  that  the  Treasurer's 
account  shows  a  balance  due  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  17  June,  1807,  of 
$2,207.68,  William  Roberts'  wharfinger's  account  shows  a  balance  due  from 
him  of  $186.18,  for  which  he  has  given  his  note  on  demand.  Thomas 


LONG   WHARF.  65 

Dennis's  account  of  the  Potter,  House  shows  a  balance  due  him  of  $5.92. 
The  Treasurer  is  directed  to  sign  the  account  with  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island, 
showing  the  balance  $2,207.68  as  reported,  to  be  due,  also  to  sign  the  record. 
The  Superintendent  was  directed  to  require  the  wharfinger  to  settle  his 
account,  in  future,  on  the  first  Monday  in  January,  April,  July,  and  October, 
to  cause  such  regulations  about  fires  on  the  wharf,  and  in  stores,  as  may 
conduce  to  the  general  safety.  All  packets  and  coasters  which  lie  at  the 
wharf  twelve  hours,  and  whatever  they  may  land  or  take  off,  shall  be  subject 
to  wharfage,  passengers'  baggage  excepted.  The  Secretary  to  make  a  list  of 
Trustees,  and  that  Simeon  Martin  call  on  each,  and  request  those  who  accept 
the  trust  to  write  against  their  names,  Accept,  and  those  who  decline  will 
enter  against  their  names,  Resign,  in  order  to  know  who  serves,  and  that  the 
vacancies  be  filled  up,  and  report  the  same  to  the  meeting  to  be  held  on 
Tuesday  next,  to  which  time  this  meeting  is  adjourned. 

1807.  July  8. — S.  Martin  reported  that  he  had  called  on  each  of  the 
Trustees  ;  that  nineteen  Trustees  accepted,  but  that  John  Bours,  Archibald 
Crary,  and  Henry  Shurburne  had  resigned.  C.  G.  Champlin  and  G.  Gibbs 
were  elected  Trustees  to  keep  the  number  of  twenty-one  full.  The  Superin- 
tendent to  have  the  Potter  House  painted,  and  he  was  authorized  to  adjust 
and  settle  the  wharfage  bill  of  ship  Mount  Hope  on  equitable  terms.  The 
question  of  widening  the  Long  Wharffco  be  considered  at  the  annual  meeting. 

'    Mem.     There  is  no  record  of  meetings  from  July  8, 1807,  to  July  8, 1811. 
This  was  the  period  of  the  embargo,  preceding  the  war  of  1812. 

1811.  July  8. — At  a  meeting,  Christopher  Rhodes,  William  Engs,  William 
Marchant,  S.  T.  Northam,  and  Jonathan  Bowen,  were  elected  Trustees  in 
the  room  of  G.  Champlin,  F.  Malbone,  and  Moses  Seixas,  deceased,  and 
Daniel  Lyman,  and  George  Gibbs,  removed  out  of  town  ;  William  Engs  was 
appointed  Superintendent,  and  William  Marchant,  Secretary  ;  R.  Rogers  to 
notify  persons  elected  Trustees,  and  to  obtain  the  signature  of  each  declaring 
whether  he  accepts  or  resigns.  Also  to  call  on  John  Handy,  Nicholas  Taylor, 
C.  G.  Champlin,  and  William  Littlefield,  to  know  whether  they  are  Trustees, 
and  if  so,  to  request  their  punctual  attendance  at  meetings  when  notified. 
The  meeting  adjourned  to  Monday  next. 

July  15. — The  Committee  to  examine  accounts  made  a  Report,  that  the 
balance  due  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island  was  $1,274.01.  The  Treasurer  was 
directed  to  certify  the  same.  R.  Rogers  reported  that  he  had  called  on  the 
newly  elected  Trustees,  who  all  accept ;  also  on  John  Handy,  and  C.  G. 
Champlin,  who  resign  ;  also  on  Nicholas  Taylor,  and  William  Littlefield,  who 


66  APPENDIX   C. 

continue  in  the  Trust.     Robert  Roberson,  and  Edward  Martin  were  elected 
Trustees,  in  place  of  0.  G.  Champlin  and  John  Handy,  resigned. 

William  Engs  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the  Potter  House,  and,  with  three 
others,  as  a  committee,  to  call  on  the  present  occupants,  and  say  to  them  that 
they  must  remove  or  pay  the  rent.  R.  Rogers  and  W.  Marchant  to  examine 
into  the  claim  against  Jesse  Barlow,  and  report  to  the  Trustees.  Another 
committee  was  appointed  in  relation  to  widening  the  wharf,  eastward  of  the 
jog,  and  to  report  the  probable  expense  thereof. 

July  22. — At  a  meeting,  the  Committee  on  the  claim  of  Jesse  Barlow  made 
their  report.  The  Committee  on  widening  the  wharf  eastward  of  the  jog 
reported,  and  the  subject  was  postponed. 

Mem.  No  record  of  meetings  from  July  22,  1811,  to  August  14,  1814. 
This  was  also  during  the  war.  The  wharf  was  used,  but  the  energy  to  keep 
up  the  meetings  was  lacking. 

1814.  August  14. — At  a  meeting,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  examine 
accounts,  and  report  at  the  next  meeting,  and,  when  prepared,  to  cause 
Trustees  to  be  notified  to  meet. 

August  19. — At  a  meeting  convened  by  the  Committee  on  accounts,  they 
reported  a  balance  due  the  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  from  Long  Wharf,  of 
$7.85.  The  account  of  William  Engswas  found  correct,  he  being  allowed 
25  per  cent  on  receipts.  A  committee  was  authorized  to  engage  William 
Engs  as  Superintendent  for  the  ensuing  year.  Gilbert  Chace  and  John  G. 
Whitehorne  were  elected  Trustees,  in  place  of  James  Robinson  and  William 
Marchant,  resigned.  R.  Rogers  was  elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer  for  the 
year.  A  committee  was  authorized  to  devise  a  plan  for  the  commencement 
of  a  school,  taking  into  consideration  the  present  limited  funds. 

August  25. — The  School  Committee  reported  a  plan  for  the  commencement 
of  a  school  for  poor  children  as  follows :  Five  Trustees  to  be  appointed  a- 
School  Committee,  to  rent  the  Potter  House  to  a  suitable  person  to  keep  a 
school,  for  such  a  number  of  boys  belonging  to  families  in  the  town  who  are 
unable  to  educate  them;  that  they  be  instructed  in  reading,  writing,  and 
arithmetic,  necessary  for  ordinary  business  and  navigation  ;  the  Committee 
to  superintend  and  adopt  a  code  of  rules  for  the  government  thereof,  to  be 
rigidly  observed.  As  many  boys  admitted  as  the  funds  will  support. 

The  Committee  report  that  they  have  visited  the  Potter  House,  and  find  a 
room  fifteen  by  forty  feet  with  two  fire-places,  which,  at  sillall  expense,  can  be 
converted  into  a  good  school  room  sufficiently  large  for  fifty  or  sixty  scholars. 


LONG   WHARF.  67 

and  the  tenants,  Joseph  Finch  and  wife,  who  occupy  the  chambers  keeping  a 
school,  who  will  undertake  to  instruct  twenty  or  thirty  children  in  reading, 
and  find  the  necessary  fire  wood  at  $1.80  each,  per  quarter,  a  plan  which 
the  Committee  recommend  to  be  adopted  for  the  ensuing  winter,  preparatory 
to  enlarging  the  plan  at  the  annual  meeting,  should  the  funds  then  admit. 
Job  Gibbs,  a  carpenter  who  occupies  the  first  floor,  and  is  largely  in  arrears 
for  rent,  can  be  employed  for  making  the  necessary  repairs  for  the  accommo- 
dation of  the  pupils,  on  enlarging  the  establishment  under  the  direction  of 
an  instructor  in  the  higher  branches. 

J.  L.  Boss  and  four  others  were  appointed  a  committee  to  carry  the  same 
into  effect,  and  they  are  to  have  the  sole  charge  of  the  Potter  House,  renting 
the  same  to  the  best  advantage,  to  receive  the  rents  either  in  tuition,  labor, 
materials  requisite  for  repairs,  or  money.  The  room  for  the  school  to  be 
fitted  up  in  such  manner  as  they  think  proper.  The  Committee  to  make  up 
quarterly  accounts  of  expenses,  and  receipts  for  the  house,  tuition,  books, 
and  stationery  ;  are  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Treasury  for  the  balance,  and 
to  make  a  report  of  the  same  to  the  annual  meeting,  or  any  other  meeting  of 
Trustees;  to  keep  a  record  of  the  pupils  admitted,  time  of  admission  and 
dismission,  books  and  stationery  furnished.  They  are  also  authorized  to  call 
a  meeting  of  the  Trustees. 

The  Committee  authorized  to  contract  with  William  Engs,  to  continue  Su- 
perintendent of  the  Long  Wharf,  are  to  engage  him  to  remain  until  the 
annual  meeting  in  April,  except  as  to  the  Potter  House. 

Resolved,  That  the  Secretary  make  out  an  account  against  Samuel  Vernon 
for  wharfage  of  brig  Hannah,  for  six  years  at  six  cents  per  day,  $131.46. 

August  29. — The  Committee  before  mentioned,  reported  that  they  had 
agreed  with  Capt.  Benjamin  Cozzens,  as  Wharfinger  and  Superintendent  of 
Repairs,  he  to  receive  twenty-five  per  cent  of  receipts,  and  to  have  liberty  to 
resign  in  case  of  peace  between  Great  Britain  and  the  Unite'd  States. 

1815.  January  26.— Capt.  B.  Cozzens  having  gone  to  sea,  the  Committee 
were  authorized  to  procure  another  wharfinger. 

April  10. — The  Committee  are  to  direct  all  claims  for  wharfage  to  be  put 
in  suit  by  the  Secretary. 

W.  Ennis,  B.  Hadwen,  J.  R.  Sherman,  and  W.  C.  Gardner,  were  elected 
Trustees  in  place  of  C.  Rhodes,  W.  Ellery,  T.  Dennis,  and  W.  Engs, 
resigned. 

Resolved,  That  the  school  be  extended  to  a  number  not  exceeding  forty,  at 
the  discretion  of  the  Committee  ;  notice  to  be  given  in  both  newspapers. 
30 


68  APPENDIX   C. 

1815.  May  1. — The  Committee  appointed  August  14,  reported  that  all 
the  moneys  advanced  by  Bank  of  Rhode  Island  for  the  wharf,  were  re- 
imbursed, except  $7.50. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  devise  a  plan  for  commencing  a  school 
agreeably  to  the  original  intention  of  the  grant,  of  the  General  Assembly. 
Owing  to  the  limited  funds  arising  from  wharfage,  it  was  deemed  advisable 
to  commence  a  school  with  a  small  number  of  boys,  in  the  house  presented 
for  that  purpose  by  Simeon  Potter  ;  a  contract  was  accordingly  made  with 
Elizabeth  Finch,  who  tenants  a  part  of  the  house,  and  on  the  10th  October, 
1814,  school  commenced,  consisting  of  twenty-five  small  boys,  who,  on  exam- 
ination by  the  School  Committee  from  time  to  time,  and  more  particularly  at 
the  expiration  of  the  second  quarter,  were  found  to  have  made  greater  pro- 
gress in  their  learning  than  was  anticipated,  and  that  Mrs.  Finch,  with  the 
assistance  of  her  husband,  had  done  ample  justice  to  the  pupils. 

At  the  annual  meeting,  April  10th,  the  Committee  were  directed  to  enlarge 
the  school  to  the  number  of  forty,  from  a  belief  that  the  probable  increase  of 
the  funds  would  authorize  such  augmentation  ;  and  measures  were  put  in 
train  to  carry  said  resolve  into  effect,  by  obtaining  pupils  from  different  parts 
of  the  town,  that' all  may  have  an  opportunity  of  experiencing  the  happy 
effect  of  so  valuable  an  institution.  The  Trustees  flatter  themselves  that  the 
next  annual  report  will  not  only  be  gratifying,  but  highly  satisfactory,  to  all 
who  feel  an  interest  in  promoting  the  welfare  of  the  poor  and  necessitous. 

July  10. — The  Committee  who  had  the  matter  in  hand  were  authorized  to 
settle  with  Mr.  Vernon,  by  reference.  William  Hunter  was  elected  a  Trus- 
tee in  place  of  Walter  Channing,  resigned. 

October  10. — The  report  of  the  School  Committee  was  received  and 
approved.  Samuel  Vernon  andrTohn  L.  Boss  were  appointed  a  Committee 
to  superintend  the  repairs  requisite  for  the  wharf  (which  has  been  materially 
damaged  by  the"  late  disastrous  storm  of  September  23,  1815),  which  they 
are  requested  to  attend  to  without  delay  ;  and  they  are  authorized  to  take  up 
money  on  loan  at  the  R.  I.  Union  Bank,  and  Bank  of  Rhode  Island,  on  such 
terms  as  may  be  agreed  upon. 

October  27. — Resolved,  That,  the  Treasurer  is  hereby  directed  to  sign  a 
note  or  notes  at  such  banks  where  the  Committee  appointed  on  the  10th 
inst.  shall  obtain  loans  of  money  sufficient  for  the  repairs  directed  by  said 
vote,  and  that  the  Long  Wharf  and  the  funds  arising  therefrom  be  and  are  . 
hereby  pledged  for  the  payment  of  said  notes. 

The  undersigned  agree,  as  of  a  special  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  that  the 


LONG   WHARF.  69 

Secretary  enter  on  the  records  the  above  vote,  as  if  done  and  passed  at  the 
meeting  of  the  10th  October,  1815. 

John  L.  Boss,  William  Ennis,  Jonathan  Bowen,  Constant  Taber,  Simeon 
Martin,  Silas  Dean,  Christopher  Fowler,  Stephen  T.  Northam,  Robert  Robin- 
son, Gilbert  Chace,  Robert  Rogers. 

1815.  September  23. — The  following  account  of  the  gale  of  September  23d, 
is  from  the  Newport  Mercury : 


AWFUL  AND  DESTRUCTIVE  STORM. 

On  Saturday  last,  23d  inst.,  this  town  was  visited  by  one  of  the  most 
awful  and  destructive  storms  ever  experienced  here,  sweeping  away  and  laying 
prostrate  almost  everything  in  its  course.  The  gale  commenced  early  in  the 
morning  at  north  east  and  continued  increasing  in  violence  (the  wind  varying 
from  N.  E.  to  S.  E.  and  S.  W.)  until  11  A.  M.,  when  it  began  to  abate,  and 
about  one  o'clock  all  danger  from  the  wind  and  tide  was  over  and  the  after- 
noon was  fair  and  mild,  forming  a  striking  contrast  with  the  war  of  the 
elements  which  had  existed  but  a  few  minutes  before.  The  tide  rose  three 
and  a  half  feet  higher  than  it  had  ever  been  known  before.  At  Providence 
it  rose  seven  feet  higher  than  ever  before. 

To  attempt  to  particularize  the  suffering,  to  estimate  the  losses,  is  impossi- 
ble. Two  dwelling  houses  and  nine  stores  and  workshops  on  the  Long  Wharf 
were  carried  away  by  the  violence  of  the  wind  and  tide,  and  those  that  with- 
stood the  gale  are  rendered  almost  untenable  by  the  vessels,  lumber,  &c. 
being  driven  against  them.  Several  of  the  stores  carried  away  contained  a 
considerable  amount  of  property  in  West  India  and  other  goods,  which  was 
nearly  all  lost.  One  of  the  houses  swept  from  the  Long  Wharf  was  occupied 
by  Mr.  Andrew  V.  Allan,  and  such  was  the  rapidity  and  violence  of  the 
storm  that  every  attempt  to  save  his  family  was  in  vain  ;  they  all  perished, 
his  wife,  three  children  and  a  girl  that  lived  with  them. 

The  wharves  on  the  Point,  with  most  of  the  stores,  stables,  &c.,  on  them 
were  carried  away.  The  wharves  in  other  parts  of  the  town,  with  the  stores 
on  them,  also  sustained  very  considerable  injury,  and  everything  movable  on 
the  wharves  was  swept'  away.  In  some  of  the  stores  the  water  was  four  feet 
deep.  The  Long  Wharf  has  sustained  great  damage  and  the  stores  on  the 
head  of  the  wharf  are  much  shattered,  and  their  contents  (flour,  sugar,  corn, 
tobacco,  &c.)  damaged  by  the  tide.  The  large  three-story  store  of  Gov. 
Martin  was  removed  nearly  six  feet  from  its  foundation.  A  large  three-story 


70  APPENDIX   C. 

store  on  Rhodes  &  Cahoone's  Wharf,  containing  hemp  and  flour,  was  taken 
from  its  foundation  and  floated  into  the  harbor. 

The  town,  after  the  gale,  was  a  scene  which  defies  description.  Many  of 
our  streets  were  rendered  impassable  by  the  quantity  of  goods,  lumber,  wood, 
spars,  wrecks  of  houses,  vessels,  trees,  &c.,  lying  in  every  direction.  The 
steeples  of  the  first  and  second  Congregational  Churches  were  partly  blown 
down,  the  roofs  of  the  Episcopal  Church  and  First  Congregational  were 
partly  carried  away,  and  other  public  edifices  have  sustained  considerable 
injury.  We  dare  not  venture  to  risk  a  calculation  as. to  the  amount  of 
damage  sustained,  but  it  is  very  great.  Many  poor  families  have  lost  their 
all  and  were  happy  to  escape  with  their  lives.  The  scene  was  such  as  was 
never  before  witnessed  by  our  oldest  inhabitants.  The  uprooting  of  huge 
trees,  some  of  which  had  braved  the  fury  of  the  elements  for  nearly  a  cen- 
tury, part  of  the  town  inundated 'the  wind  blowing  a  hurricane,  a  prodigious 
swell  running,  some  buildings  falling  to  pieces,  the  sea  beating  against  others 
with  a  fury  surpassed  only  by  the  breakers  of  our  sea  shore  ;  and  amidst  all 
these  horrors  were  seen  families  struggling  to  escape  from  their  houses,  and 
persons  striving  to  save  their  property.  After  the  storm  the  outside  of  the 
windows  in  the  town  was  found  coated  with  a  fine  salt  which,  it  seems,  was 
conveyed  from  the  ocean  through  the  air,  and  the  leaves  of  the  trees,  from 
this  cause,  as  is  supposed,  are  curled  and  crisped  as  with  a  general  blast. 

Two  brigs  were  driven  on  the  tops  of  Jhe  wharves;  four  sloops  were  driven 
on  the  top  of  the  Long  Wharf;  a  sloop  with  wood  was  carried  over  the  Long 
Wharf  on  to  the  Point ;  another  was  driven  into  the  cove,  and  two  sloops 
were  sunk  at  Long  Wharf.  Much  damage  was  done  to  the  towns  situated 
on  the  Narragansett  Bay  and  along  the  shores,  and  a  number  of  lives  were 
lost  in  this  disastrous  gale. 

1816.  January  8. — At  a  meeting,  a  committee  was  appointed  to  report  a 
plan  for  widening  the  wharf,  with  an  estimate  of  the  expense.  Benjamin 
Hadwen  was  appointed  Wharfinger. 

April  8. — The  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  put  the  demands  against  Thomas 
Dennis  and  S.  Vernon  in  suit  unless  adjusted  before  25th  April.  W.  Ennis 
and  W.  C.  Gardner  to  be  a  committee  to  audit  the  Treasurer's  accounts. 

July  8. — Resolved,  That,  all  vessels  lying  at  the  Long  Wharf  six  hours  be 
subject  to  one  day's  wharfage.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  revise  the  rates 
of  wharfage  and  to  report  to  the  Wharfinger  ;  the  same  to  be  adopted  by  him 
until  the  next  quarterly  meeting  of  the  Trustees. 


LONG  WHARF.  71 

October  11. — Lewis  Rousmaniere  was  elected  a  Trustee.  The  Wharfinger 
to  put  in  suit  all  accounts  due  and  unpaid. 

1817.  April  21. — At  the  annual  meeting  the  Committee  on  the  rates  of 
wharfage  made  their  report  of  rates  to  be  charged,  which  was  adopted, 
except  that  all  vessels  taking  a  berth,  or  fastening  to  a  post,  six  hours  to  pay 
a  day's  wharfage,  altered  to  twelve  hours. 

Voted,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  audit  the  Treasurer's  accounts. 

1818.  January  12. — Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  obtain 
a  loan  of  $400  at  either  of  the  banks.     A  committee  was  appointed  to  settle 
all  accounts  against  the  Long  Wharf  and  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer  for  the 
balance  due. 

Resolved,  That  the  school  be  reduced  to  the  number  of  ten  scholars,  to  be 
selected  by  draft  from  the  whole  number.  A  committee  was  appointed  to 
revise  the  rates  of  wharfage. 

July  13. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  settle  the  accounts  of  the 
Wharfinger. 

1819.  January  15. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  settle  with  S.  T. 
Northam  for  damage  to  a  scow.     The  Committee  on  Wharfage  made  a  report 
which  was  accepted  ;  that  the  deduction  allowed  on  landing  cargoes  or  parts 
of  cargoes  be  repealed,  and  that,  on  landing  whole  cargoes,  ten  per  cent  be 
allowed.      Wharfinger  to  remove  vessels  not  engaged  in  discharging   or 
loading. 

April  12. — At  the  annual  meeting,  Resolved,  That  the  Wharfinger  shall 
receive  25  per  cent  on  receipts  up  to  $200,  over  $200,  20  per  cent. 

A  committee  appointed  on  the  question  of  building  an  addition  to  the 
wharf.  A  committee  to  superintend  the  school  was  elected  for  the  year.  A 
committee  to  superintend  the  wharf  was  elected.  Benjamin  Had  wen  was 
elected  Wharfinger.  A  report  from  the  School  Committee  was  received. 

July  12. — A  report  of  the  School  Instructors  was  referred  to  the  School 
Committee,  who  were  directed  to  inquire  into  the  causes  of  the  absence  of 
those  who  are  reported  as  delinquents,  and  to  dismiss  at  their  discretion, 
and  have  their  places  supplied  with  such  as  will  be  more  punctual.  The 
Committee  on  building  an  addition  to  the  wharf  were  discharged  from  any 
farther  consideration  of  the  subject. 

October  11, — George  Engs  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Simeon  Martin, 
resigned.  S.  Fowler  Gardner  was  elected  in  place  of  Silas  Dean,  deceased. 


72  APPENDIX   C. 

William  Hunter  was  appointed  one  of  the  School  Committee  in  place  of  S. 
Dean,  deceased. 

1820.  January,  10. — J.  L.  Boss  was  appointed  to  take  charge  of  Long 
Wharf,  in  place  of  B.  Hadwen,  wharfinger,  during  his  sickness.     J.  L.  Boss 
to  receive  terms  and  report  an  estimate  of  cost  of  repairing  Long  Wharf  and 
the  ways  and  means  to  carry  the  same  into  effect.     Stephen  Gould  was  elected 
Trustee,  in  place  of  Gilbert  Chace,  deceased.    J.  R.  Sherman  and  G.  Engs  to 
audit  Treasurer's  accounts.    The  School  Committee  to  notify  Job  Gibbs  to 
settle  the  rent  due,  or  leave  before  1st  April. 

January  24. — John  L.  Boss  was  authorized  to  make  a  contract  with 
Durfee  and  Friend  for  repairing  the  wharf  on  the  best  terms  he  can. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer's  account  be  audited  annually,  or  oftener  ; 
all  moneys  to  be  deposited  in  bank  and  no  payments  to  be  made  except  by 
checks  ;  and  that  the  cashier  cause  the  name  of  every  person  paid  to  be 
entered  on  the  book,  said  bank-book  to  be  balanced  quarterly  and  the  Treas- 
urer to  balance  his  account  quarterly  ;  the  Treasurer  to  be  allowed  $10 
annually  for  his  services. 

July  10. — A  committee  was  appointed  to  audit  and  settle  the  accounts  of 
the  Treasurer  and  Wharfinger,  J.  L.  Boss  and  J.  Bowen  were  appointed  a 
Committee  to  contract  for  repairs  of  Long  Wharf.  Samuel  Whitehorne  was 
elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  L.  Rousmaniere,  deceased. 

April  10.  -r-  At  the  annual  meeting  the  Treasurer  was  authorized  to  obtain 
a  loan  of  $50  at  either  bank.  That  from  this  date  the  Wharfinger  shall  be 
allowed  15  per  cent  on  wharfage  collected.  Robert  Rogers  was  elected 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  for  the  year  ensuing.  A  committee  to  superintend 
the  school  for  the  year  was  elected.  A  committee  to  superintend  the  wharf, 
and  B.  Hadwen,  Wharfinger,  were  elected.  A  report  of  the  instructors  of  the 
school  was  received  and  the  balance  due  Joseph  Finch  directed  to  be  paid  by 
the  Treasurer. 

1821.  January  8. — Benjamin  Pierce  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of 
S.  Whitehorne,  who  declined.     James  Stevens  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place 
of  John  R.  Sherman,  resigned. 

April  9.  —  Annual  meeting.  The  Wharfinger  directed  to  make  a  statement 
at  every  quarterly  meeting  o'f  all  sums  due  from  persons  or  vessels  for  wharf- 
age. R.  Rogers  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  A  new  school  committee 
chosen  and  B.  Hadwen  elected  Wharfinger.  A  committee  was  elected  to 
superintend  the  wharf. 


LONG  WHAEF.  73 

July  9.  —  The  Wharfinger  was  authorized  to  employ  R.  K.  Randolph,  as 
attorney,  to  attend  to  suits  brought  against  R.  Potter,  and  others,  for 
wharfage. 

1822.  January  7.  —  Nathaniel  S.  Ruggles  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place 
of  Edward  Martin,  resigned.     Edward  W.  Lawton  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in 
place  of  W.  C.  Gardner,  resigned. 

April  8.  —  Annual  meeting.  R.  Rogers  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer 
and  B.  Hadwen,  Wharfinger.  A  school  committee  and  a  committee  to 
superintend  Long  Wharf  were  appointed. 

October  7. —  Committee  to  superintend  Long  Wharf  authorized  to  make 
necessary  repairs.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  best  mode  of 
repairing  the  wharf,  to  make  it  more  convenient  for  small  vessels  to  discharge, 
and  to  report  the  expense. 

1823.  January  13.  —  The  Committee  on  repairing  the  wharf  was  contin- 
ued and  directed  to  report  at  the  annual  meeting.     The  account  of  Benedict 
Dayton  was  referred  to  Committee  superintending  the  Wharf. 

April  14.  —  R.  Rogers  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer.  A  school  com- 
mittee of  five  appointed  for  the  year  ensuing.  Robert  Stevens,  Jr.  was 
elected  Wharfinger  ;  his  commission  to  be  15  per  cent.  The  Committee  to 
superintend  the  wharf  were  re-elected. 

1823.  July  14. — The  Committee  for  repairing  the  wharf,  were  discharged. 
J.  L.  Boss  and  G.  Engs,  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  repair  'the  school 
house.    Robt.   Stevens,   Jr.  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  Benjamin 
Pierce  deceased. 

October  13. — R.  Rogers  was  .added  to  the  Committee  for  repairing  the 
school  house.  The  Wharfinger  to  adjust  the  account  against  owners  of  brig 
Brutus. 

1824.  January  12. — Treasurer  directed  to  pay  interest  and  $20  principal 
on  notes  at  Bank,  and  renew  said  notes. 

October  11. — David  King  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  J.  L.  Boss, 
deceased.  R.  Rogers  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer^  and  Robert  Stevens, 
Jr.,  Wharfinger.  A  School  Committee  was  elected,  and  a  Committee  to 
superintend  the  wharf  and  to  make  such  repairs  as  may  be  necessary. 

1825.  April  11. — Annual  meeting,  W.  Ennis  and  G.  Engs  were  appointed 
Auditors.     R.  Rogers  was  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  the  School 
Committee  were  re-elected.     A  committee  including  ,R.  Stevens,  Jr.,  was 


74  APPENDIX   C. 

appointed  to  superintend  the  -wharf  and  to  make  such  repairs  as  may  be 
necessary,  for  the  preservation  of  the  same. 

October  10. — A  Committee  was  appointed  to  fix  the  rates  of  wharfage,  and 
to  advise  with  wharfinger. 

1826.  April  10. — Russell  Coggeshall  was  elected  Trustee,  in  place  of  John 
G.  Whitehorne  resigned.     Nicholas  G.  Boss  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place 
of  William  Hunter,  removed  from  town.     R.  Rogers  was  re-elected  Secretary 
and  Treasurer.      Robert  Stevens,  Jr.,  was  elected  wharfinger.     A  School 
Committee  and  a  Committee  to  superintend  the  wharf,  were  appointed. 

1827.  February  15. — At  a  meeting,  S.  T.   Northam,   Moderator,  and 
George  Engs,  Secretary  pro  tempore,  a  Special  Messenger  was  appointed  to 
wait  on  the  Secretary  and  request  his  attendance  with  the  books.     Mr.  Engs 
reported  that  he  could  not  find  him  ;  wherefore  it  was 

Voted,  That,  whereas  by  the  last  Will  of  Constant  Taber,  he  has  be- 
queathed to  the  Long  Wharf  Free  School,  a  certain  sum  of  money,  it  there- 
fore becomes  our  duty  to  recpver  and  receive  said  legacy  ;  that  S.  T.  Northam 
and  N.  G.  Boss,  be  a  Committee  to  engage  to  support  the  interest  of  this 
Board  in  any  legal  contest. 

Voted,  That,  the  Chairman  address  a  note  to  Mr.  Rogers  to  call  a  meeting 
of  the  Trustees  to-morrow  at  11  o'clock,  A.  M. 

February  16. — The  meeting  assembled  at  the  call  of  Mr.  Rogers,  Secretary, 
at  the  time  appointed.  It  was  stated,  that  whereas  constant  Taber  by  his 
last  Will,  bequeathed  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf,  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Public  School,  thirty  shares  of  U.  S.  Bank  Stock,  which  legacy  is 
annulled  by  a  codicil,  executed  in  March,  1826,  and  which  codicil  is  contested 
as  being  illegally  executed  ;  the  Trustees  deem  it  their  duty  to  prevent  the 
right  of  the  Long  Wharf  Free  School  from  being  infringed.  A  Committee 
was  appointed  to  attend  the  Court  of  Probate  on  Tuesday  next,  to  employ 
counsel  if  necessary,  and  take  such  steps  as  may  be  proper,  and  report  to  the 
next  annual  meeting.  It  resulted  in  the  employment  of  Mr.  Randolph  as 
counsel  and  the  payment  to  him,  for  his  services,  of  the  sum  of  $60.  Noth- 
ing was  recovered  under  the  will.  Mr.  Rogers  entered  on  the  Record  a  dec- 
laration that  he  was  not  applied  to  to  issue  a  notice  or  call  for  a  meeting, 
and  was  not  to  blame  in  the  matter. 

April  9. — Annual  meeting.  Richard  K.  Randolph  was  elected  a  Trustee, 
in  place  of  Constant  Taber,  deceased.  A  School  Committee  and  two  Auditors 
were  elected.  R.  Rogers  was  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  Robert 
Stevens,  Jr.  Wharfinger. '  A  committee  to  superintend  the  wharf  was  elected. 


LONG  WHARF.  75 

April  12. — David  M.  Coggeshall  was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  Richard 
K.  Randolph,  who  declines.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  revise  the 
rates  of  wharfage.  R.  K.  Randolph's  account  for  services  $60,  ordered  to 
be  paid.  A  Committee  of  Observation  was  appointed  in  relation  to  0.  Ta- 
ber's  Will.  W.  Ennis  was  appointed  to  apply  to  the  General  Assembly  for 
an  act  regulating  the  Long  Wharf,  in  removing  vessels,  &c. 

July  27. — At  a  special  meeting,  the  rates  of  wharfage  reported  by  the  Com- 
mittee were  adopted,  and  one  hundred  copies  ordered  to  be  printed.  A  com- 
mittee was  appointed  to  petition  the  Legislature  for  an  Act  authorizing  the 
wharfinger  to  remove  vessels  whenever  he  may  think  proper.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  ascertain  the  expense  of  clearing  both  sides  of  the  wharf 
from  stone  and  gravel,  and  to  have  the  same  done  without  delay,  at  an 
expense  not  over  $200. 

1828.  April  14. — Annual  meeting.     James  Phillips  was  elected  a  Trustee 
in  place  of  James  Stevens,  absent  from  the  State.    Auditors  and  School  Com- 
mittee re-elected.     R.  Rogers,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  R.  Stevens,  Jr., 
Wharfinger,  re-elected.     A  committee  to  superintend^  the  wharf  and  to  make 
repairs,  was  appointed,  also  to  repair  the  fence  of  School  House  Lot.     Trea- 
surer authorized  to  hire  from  either  bank,  any  sum  not  over  $200,  at  the 
discretion  of  the  Committee,  to  have  the  stone  and  gravel  cleared  from  the 
sides  of  the  wharf. 

1829.  April  13  — Annual  Meeting.     Henry  Bull  was  elected  in  place  of 
Nicholas  Taylor,  Trustee,  deceased.     Thomas  Bush,  in  place  of  Robert  Rob- 
inson, Stephen  Bo  wen,  in  place  of  Jonathan  Bowen,  John  Stevens,  in  place 
of  Stephen  Gould,  removed  from  town,  were  severally  elected  Trustees.     Au- 
ditors and  School   Committee  were  appointed.     R.  Rogers,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  and  R.  Stevens,  Jr.,  Wharfinger,  were  re-elected. 

Vote.d,  That  Mrs.  Finch,  widow  of  Joseph  Finch,  shall  continue  in  the 
house,  of  which  the  rent  is  to  be  paid  in  schooling  small  children  of  both 
sexes,  under  the  superin tendency  of  School  Committee. 

A  committee  was  appoiated  to  settle  with  Newport  Bank,  and  if  requisite, 
to  hire  money  of  either  of  the  other  banks,  to  pay  the  Newport  Bank.  A 
committee  was  appointed  to  apply  to  the  General  Assembly  for  more  extensive 
powers,  in  relation  to  Long  Wharf.  A  committee  was  appointed  to  super- 
intend the  Long  Wharf,  and  make  necessary  repairs.  Another  committee 
was  appointed  to  call  on  the  proprietors  of  the  upper  part  of  the  wharf, 
respecting  repairing  the  same,  and  also  to  lay  the  subject  before  the  town  at 
the  next  Town  Meeting.  The  Secretary  to  furnish  the  Chairman  of  each 
31 


76  APPENDIX   C. 

Committee,  with  a  copy  of  the  votes,  specifying  their  appointment,  and  the 
business  to  which  they  are  to  attend. 

July  13. — At  a  quarterly  meeting,  Voted,  That  the  School  Committee  make 
an  arrangement  with  the  widow  Dennis  for  schooling  small  children,  for  the 
rent  of  the  house  belonging  to  the  Trusteeship. 

H.  Bull  and  J.  Phillips  were  authorized  to  make  a  contract  with  the 
proprietors  of  the  steam  packets,  for  the  use  of  the  head  of  the  Long  Wharf, 
in  conformity  to  the  Act  of  the  Assembly,  May  session,  1829,  and  were  author- 
ized to  make  such  additions  or  repairs,  as  are  required  by  the  steamboats,  or  as 
they  may  think  advisable,  for  the  interest  of  said  wharf.  George  Bowen  was 
elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Stephen  Bowen,  deceased. 

1830.  April  12. — Annual  meeting.     The  School   Committee  were  again 
empowered  to  contract  with  Mrs.  Dennis,  or  some  other  person,  for  the  rent 
of  the  house,  to  be  paid  in  schooling  small  children,  under  the  direction  of 
the  Committee, — the  Committee  appointed  for  the  year.     A  committee  was 
appointed  to  superintend  and  repair  the  wharf. 

The  Committee  appointed  to  call  on  the  proprietors  of  the  upper  part  of  the 
wharf,  respecting  repairing  the  same,  were  requested  to  urge  the  propriety 
of  its  being  done.  The  Superintending  Committee  to  adjust  the  unsettled 
account  of  the  steamer  Chancellor  Livingston  as  they  may  think  proper. 
R.  Rogers  elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer  for  the  year,  to  receive  $20  annual 
compensation.  R.  Stevens,  Junior,  was  elected  Wharfinger.  Samuel  Allen 
was  elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  Christopher  Fowler,  deceased. 

July  12. — At  a  meeting,  the  Superintending  Commiptee  were  directed  to 
continue  the  repairs  on  the  wharf,  as  far  as  requisite,  for  the  interest  of  the 
Trust ;  the  Treasurer  to  hire  at  R.  I.  Union  Bank  a  sum  not  exceeding  $600, 
as  may  be  required  by  the  Committee  to  pay  the  bills. 

1831.  April  11. — At  the  annual  meeting,  Richard   K.   Randolph  was 
elected  a  Trustee  in   place  of  Russell   Coggeshall,   resigned.     Henry   Bull 
resigned,  and  Isaiah  Crooker  was  elected  a  Trusteed  his  place. 

Voted,  That  David  M.  Coggeshall's  account  for  $60,  for  superintending 
repairs,  be  allowed  and  paid  by  the  Treasurer,  and  that  $30  be  paid  to  James 
B.  Phillips  for  services  in  superintending  repairs. 

A  school  committee  was  elected  and  directed  to  rent  a  house  for  schooling 
children.  D.  M.  Coggeshall  was  appointed  Superintendent  of  repairs  on 
Wharf  and  School  House.  A  committee  of  vigilance  was  appointed  to  press 
the  proprietors  or  Town  Committee  to  complete  the  repairs  on  the  road  lead- 
ing down  the  Long  Wharf.  R.  Rogers  was  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treas- 


LONG  WHAEF.  77 

urer,  and  G.  Engs  and  G.  Bowen,  Auditors.  R.  Stevens,  Jr.  was  elected 
Wharfinger,  to  use  all  diligence  in  collecting  balances  due  from  steamer 
Chancellor  Livingston  and  settle  on  the  best  terms  he  can. 

July  11.  —  At  a  meeting,  the  Treasurer  was  authorized  to  borrow  a  sum 
not  exceeding  $140,  to  pay  off  the  demands  against  the  wharf.  The  Super- 
intendent to  advise  with  Audley  Clarke,  Moderator,  respecting  further 
repairs  on  the  wharf. 

October  II,  —  The  Treasurer  reported  that  bills  amounting  to  $797.87, 
approved  by  the  Superintending  Committee,  were  all  paid ;  that  the  Board  is 
indebted  to  R.  I.  Union  Bank,  by  note,  $1050,  the  interest  paid  to  1st 
January,  1831,  and  that  there  is  a  balance  in  the  Treasury  of  $42.82. 

1832.  April  9.  —  Annual  Meeting.     Voted,  That  the  school  under  the 
care  of  Mrs.  Dennis  be  discontinued,  and  that  the  house  deeded  by  Simeon 
Potter  to  the  Trustees  be  rented,  and  the  rent  appropriated  to  the  repairs  of 
said  house,  and  that  George  Bowen  is  appointed  to  carry  the  same  into  effect. 

Voted,  That  the  bill  of  David  M.  Coggeshall  of  $30,  for  superintending 
repairs,  be  allowed  and  the  Treasurer  is  directed  to  pay  the  same. 

R.  Rogers  re-elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer  and  the  Auditors  re-chosen 
for  the  year.  Treasurer  to  examine  and  report  at  the  next  quarterly  meeting 
the  sums  collected  and  balances  due. 

Voted,  That  the  Wharfinger  be  allowed  eight  per  cent  on  all  sums 
collected  from  steamboats,  and  twenty  per  cent  on  all  wharfage  from 
other  sources  ;  and  that  it  shall  be  the  duty  of  the  Wharfinger  to  superintend 
the  common  and  necessary  repairs  for  the  preservation  of  the  wharf,  and  that 
in  his  account  he  shall  specify  the  articles  and  persons  from  whom  he 
collects  wharfage.  Theophilus  Topham  was  appointed  Wharfinger  in  place  of 
Robert  Stevens,  declined.  George  C.  Mason  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place 
of  William  Ennis,  deceased. 

1833.  AprilS. — Annual  Meeting.     R.  Rogers  was  re-elected  Secretary 
and  Treasurer,  and  Theophilus  Topham  was  appointed  Wharfinger.     Auditors 
were  re-appointed.     George  Bowen  was  appointed  to  rent  the  Potter  House, 
and  pay  the  same  into  the  Treasury.     A  committee  was  appointed  to  make 
an  estimate  of  the  expense  of  extending  the  south  wall  eighty  feet  and  to 
advertise  for  proposals  for  doing  the  same.     John  V.  Hammett  was  elected  a 
Trustee  in  place  of  James  B.  Phillips,  deceased. 

June  3.  —  The  committee  in  relation  to  extending  the  south  wall  reported 
verbally,  that  they  had  received  proposals  from  William  Vars,  which  were 
submitted,  and  it  was 


78  APPENDIX   C. 

Resolved,  That  a  committee  of  three  be  authorized  to  contract  with  Wil- 
liam Vars  to  widen  the  Long  "Wharf  one  hundred  feet  in  length,  extending 
from  the  jog,  on  the  terms  proposed,  and  not  exceeding  the  sum  named  ;  that 
the  said  work  be  done  under  the  inspection  of  said  committee. 

Resolved,  That  the  Treasurer  be  empowered  to  hire  money  for  carrying  into 
effect  the  foregoing  Resolution,  on  such  terms  as  the  committee  shall  direct, 
and  that  the  Long  Wharf  and  the  funds  arising  therefrom  be,  and  are  hereby, 
pledged  for  the  payment  of  the  money  borrowed. 

That  G.  Engs  and  the  Wharfinger  be  authorized  to  procure  suitable  ladders 
to  reach  to  the  ridge  of  the  stores,  to  be  kept  in  readiness  on  said  wharf  in 
case  of  fire  ;  also  to  procure  twelve  good  buckets  for  the  wharf,  and  to  have 
the  roofs  of  said  stores  whitewashed,  as  may  be  necessary,  to  guard  against 
fire,  consulting  the  owners  on  the  expediency  of  the  measure  and  whether 
they  would  join  in  defraying  the  expense. 

Resolved,  That  G.  Engs  and  G.  Bowen  be  a  committee  to  sell  the  house 
presented  to  the  Trustees  by  the  late  Simeon  Potter  at  such  time  and  in  such 
manner  as  they  may  think  most  advisable. 

1834.  April  7.  —  Annual  meeting.  R.  Rogers,  Secretary  and  Treasurer, 
and  T.  Topham,  Wharfinger,  re-elected.  Auditors  re-elected.  Treasurer  to 
notify  them  to  audit  his  accounts  for  the  past  two  years.  G.  Engs  and  G. 
Bowen  authorized  to  sell  the  Potter  house,  and  if  not  sold,  to  let  the  same ; 
also  to  collect  the  back  rents  due.  Thomas  Bush  to  have  the  bad  places  on 
the  wharf  levelled  and  filled  up,  expense  not  to  exceed  $25.  The  Wharfinger 
directed  in  future  not  to  collect  wharfage  on  baggage,  or  carriages  and 
horses  of  passengers,  or  on  baskets  of  fruits  and  furniture  brought  for  family 
use  and  not  for  sale. 

April  22. — The  committee  authorized  to  sell  the  Simeon  Potter  house 
reported  that  they  had  sold  the  same  at  auction,  previously  advertised,  to 
George  Tilley,  the  highest  bidder,  for  the  sum  of  $505,  payable  in  a  note  at 
ninety  days,  wherefore,  it  was 

Voted,  That  Robert  Rogers  be  authorized  to  convey  to  the  said  George 
Tilley  all  the  right  of  the  Trustees  to  the  said  lot  and  buildings  thereon  for 
the  sum  of  $505. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  dispose  of  the  money  received  for  the  sale 
of  house  and  lot.  Treasurer  to  pay  expenses  of  sale  and  to  pay  the  bill  of 
Narragansett  Bay  Company. 

July  14. —  The  committee  on  disposal  of  the  proceeds  of  house  and  lot 
reported  and  recommended  the  money  to  be  placed  in  Savings  Bank  on  inter- 


LONG  WHARF.  79 

est.  Report  received  and  the  Treasurer  directed  to  deposit  the  money  in 
Savings  Bank.  A  committee  appointed  to  procure  a  portable  gangway  for 
landing  passengers,  &c.  Thomas  Bash  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Treasury 
for  a  sum  sufficient  to  complete  the  repairs. 

1835.  April  13.  —  Annual  meeting.  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  Wharfinger 
and  Auditors  re-elected.  Thomas  Bush  a  committee  to  complete  the  repairs 
already  commenced.  Stephen  A.  Robinson  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of 
Samuel  Vernon,  deceased. 

September  14.  —  George  C.  Mason  was  elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer  in 
place  of  Robert  Rogers,  deceased.  G.  Bowen  and  John  Stevens  a  committee 
to  receive  books  and  papers  from  the  administrator  of  Robert  Rogers,  late 
Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  deliver  them  to  George  C.  Mason.  Robert  P. 
Lee  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Robert  Rogers,  deceased.  A  committee 
was  appointed  to  examine  and  report  what  repairs  are  necessary  for  the  Long 
Wharf. 


April  12.  —  Annual  meeting.  George  C.  Mason  was  elected  Secre- 
tary and  Treasurer.  Theophilus  Topham,  Wharfinger.  G.  Engs  and  G. 
Bowen,  Auditors  were  re-elected.  A  committee  of  six  were  appointed  to 
examine  and  report  what  repairs  are  required,  and  whether  it  is  advisable  to 
make  any  addition  to  the  wharf  ;  also  to  call  on  the  captains  of  the  steamboats 
and  request  them  to  be  more  careful  of  fire  than  heretofore  while  at  the  Long 
Wharf. 

July  11.  -y  A  committee  was  appointed  to  place  a  chain  across  the  head  of 
the  wharf  to  prevent  passengers  from  being  incommoded  by  hacks. 

September  30.  —  A  committee  was  Uppointed  to  confer  with  Mr.  George 
Curtis,  relative  to  a  letter  addressed  by  him  to  the  Treasurer,  in  regard  to 
Long  Wharf.  The  Treasurer  was  directed  to  place  the  money  on  hand  at  the 
end  of  the  quarter  in  Savings  Bank. 

1837.  January  10.  —  At  a  meeting,  Samuel  Barker,  Benjamin  Finch  and 
William  Sherman  were  elected  Trustees  in  place  of  Benjamin  Hadwen,  David 
King  and  N.  G.  Boss,  deceased.  Treasurer  to  place  funds  on  hand  in  Savings 
Bank,  provided  said  Bank  will  allow  interest  on  the  same. 

April  11.  —  Annual  meeting.  G.  C.  Mason  was  elected  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  and  Theophilus  Topham,  Wharfinger;  G.  Engs  and  G.  Bowen, 
Auditors  ;  T.  Bush,  J.  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen,  a  committee  to  examine  wharf 
and  make  such  repairs  as  are  absolutely  necessary. 

July  17.—  Voted,  That  the  Wharfinger  put  so  much  gravel  on  the  wharf 


80  APPENDIX   C. 

as  is  absolutely  required.     Theophilus  Topham  to  be  allowed  $30  for  services 
as  Superintendent  of  Repairs  on  Wharf. 

September  4.  —  The  Wharfinger  directed  to  prohibit  all  drivers  of  carriages, 
drays,  &c.,  from  going  to  the  westward  of  the  chain  across  the  wharf  while 
steamboats  are  landing  or  taking  off  passengers,  and  a  committee  was 
appointed  to  assist  him. 

1838.  January  9.  —  No  quorum  present. 

April  9.  —  Annual  meeting.  George  C.  Mason  was  elected  Secretary  and 
Treasurer  and  T.  Topham,  Wharfinger  ;  S.  Barker  and  G.  Bowen,  Auditors. 
The  Treasurer  was  directed  to  place  the  funds  in  his  hands  in  Savings  Bank, 
if  interest  is  allowed. 

July  10.  —  The  Secretary  was  directed  to  furnish  a  copy  of  the  Charter  of 
this  Corporation  to  the  committee  appointed  by  the  town,  to  report  upon  the 
expediency  of  building  a  new  Public  School  House.  George  Bowen,  a  com- 
mittee to  make  an  estimate  of  the  cost  of  building  a  new  wall  on  the  south 
side  and  west  end  of  the  wharf,  and  that  he  draw  upon  the  Treasurer  for  such 
money  as  shall  be  necessary. 

October  8.  —  G.  Bowen  and  S.  F.  Gardner  were  appointed  a  committee  to 
apply  to  the  Town  Clerk  for  the  loan  of  the  Report  of  the  School  Commit- 
tee, made  to  the  Town  of  Newport  at  a  town  meeting  held  October  6,  1838. 
The  Treasurer  was  ordered  to  place  in  Savings  Bank  $500,  if  the  Bank 
allows  interest. 

I 

1839.  January  8.  —  Voted,  That  H.  Bull's  bill  for  railing,  &c.,  on  stores 
be  paid.     A  committee  to  purchase  twelve  leather  buckets  was  appointed. 

AprilS.  —  George  C.  Mason,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  and  T.  Topham, 
Wharfinger,  re-elected.  Auditors  re-appointed  and  a  committee  on  repairs 
of  the  wharf  appointed. 

July  8.  — No  quorum.  G.  Engs  reported  that  the  steamboats  having  left 
the  wharf,  the  committee  appointed  do  not  deem  it  necessary  to  make  any 
other  repairs  but  such  as  the  Wharfinger  is  authorized  to  make. 

1840.  April  13. — Annual  meeting.     The  Secretary  and  Treasurer  and 
Wharfinger  re-elected  ;  Auditors  re-appointed. 

Voted,  That  all  steamers  coming  to  or  going  from  Long  Wharf  shall  shut 
their  dampers,  or  so  regulate  their  fires,  as  to  prevent  the  fire  issuing  from 
the  chimneys  while  the  boat  is  within  a  cable's  length,  or  one  hundred  and 
twenty  fathoms  of  the  wharf,  and  that  a  copy  of  this  vote  be  forwarded  to  the 


LONG  WHARF.  81 

President  of  the  New  Jersey  Steamboat  Company,  and  also  to  each  of  the 
masters  of  the  steamboats  ;  and  the  Superintendent  is  directed  to  report  any 
breach  of  said  rule. 

July  13.  —  Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  pay  D.  M.  Coggesh all's  bill,  $12.16, 
and  Finch  and  Engs',  $35.43. 

Voted,  That  $100  be  given  to  the  proprietors  of  the  stores  on  the  wharf 
towards  the  expense  of  plastering  on  the  roofs,  under  shingles,  provided  the 
whole  can  be  done.  At  this  time  all  steamboats  were  using  pine  wood  for 
fuel,  and  the  sparks  blowing  on  the  roofs  frequently  set  them  on  fire. 

1841.  April  15.  —  Annual  meeting.     G.  C.  Mason,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer, T.  Topham,  Wharfinger,  were  re-elected.     G.  Bowen  and  S.  Barker, 
Auditors,  re-elected.      Treasurer  directed  to  deposit  in  Savings  Bank  the 
balance  not  needed  for  repairs. 

1842.  April  11.  —  Annual    meeting.      The  Secretary  and   Treasurer,. 
Wharfinger  and  Auditing  Committee  re-elected.     Samuel  Engs  was  elected  a 
Trustee  in  place  of  Robert  Stevens,  resigned.     A  committee  of  three  was 
appointed  to  make  repairs,  not  to  exceed  $1,000. 

October  14.  —  The  committee  appointed  in  April  last,  on  repairs,  reported, 
and  said  report  being  read,  it  was  voted  that  the  same  be  accepted,  and  the 
committee  directed  to  complete  the  repairs. 

1843.  April  11.  —  Annual   meeting.      The  Secretary    and    Treasurer, 
Wharfinger  and  Auditors  were  re-elected.     The  committee  to  repair  the 
wharf  directed  to  receive  from  Mr.  Covill  a  release  of  his  part  of  the  wharf 
opposite  his  shop. 

1844.  April  15.  —  Annual  meeting.     David  M.  Coggeshall  was  elected 
Secretary  and  Treasurer  ;  T.  Topham,  Wharfinger ;  S.  Barker  and  G.  Bow- 
en,  Auditors.     Peleg  Clarke  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Audley  Clarke, 
deceased.     Benjamin  A.  Mason  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  George  C. 
Mason,  deceased.     The  committee  reported  that  a  deed,  from  Mr.  Covill  had 
been  received  and  left  with  the  Town  Clerk  to  be  recorded. 

The  executor  of  Henry  Bull,  deceased,  presented  a  claim  of  $50  for  plas- 
tering roof  of  store  ;  it  was  contended  that  he  agreed  to  attend  to  the  plas- 
tering of  all  the  stores  and  to  receive  from  this  Corporation  $100  in  full  of 
all  claims  against  the  Long  Wharf.  G.  Bowen  and  S.  Barker  were  directed 
to  show  Mr.  Bull's  executor  the  records  as  to  plastering  the  stores.  R.  P. 
Lee  and  B.  Finch,  a  committee  to  examine  the  account  of  the  Committee  on 


82  APPENDIX   C. 

Repairs,  and  it  was  voted,  that  the  latter  receive  the  thanks  of  this  Corpora- 
tion for  the  faithful  discharge  of  their  duties. 

Voted,  That  John  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen  have  authority  to  repair  the 
highway  leading  from  the  market  to  Covill's  shop  wherever  it  may  require  it. 

1845.  April  21. —  Annual  meeting.     D.  M.  Coggeshall,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  T.  Topham,  Wharfinger,  G.  Bowen  and  S.  Barker,  Auditors,  were 
re-elected.     George  G.  King  was  elected  Trustee  in  place  of  S.  A.  Robinson, 
who  never  accepted.     The  balance  in  the  treasury  ordered  to  be  deposited  in 
the  Savings  Bank. 

1846.  April  14.  —  Annual  meeting.     No  quorum.     It  was  recommended 
that  the  Treasurer  deposit  $500  in  Savings  Bank. 

July  14. —D.  M.  Coggeshall,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  T.  Topham, 
Wharfinger,  G.  Bowen  and  S.  Barker,  Auditors,  were  re-elected.  William 
C.  Cozzens  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  S.  F.  Gardner,  deceased. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  deposit  $250  in  Savings  Bank  and  in  future, 
whenever  the  sum  in  the  treasury  amounts  to  $100  ;  the  same  to  be  deposited 
to  the  credit  of  the  Trustees.  J.  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen,  a  committee  to  make 
repairs  on  the  highway  to  Covill's  shop,  and  about  the  wharf. 

1847.  April  12. — Annual  meeting.     S.  T.  Northam  was  elected  Chair- 
man for  the  year.     David  M.  Coggeshall,  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  T.  Top- 
ham,  Wharfinger  ;  G.  Bowen  and  S.  Baker,  Auditors  ;  John  Stevens  and  G. 
Bowen,  Committee  on  Repairs,  were  elected.     John  D.  Northam  and  David 
G.  Cook  were  elected  Trustees,  in  place  of  George  Engs  and  Nathaniel  S. 
Ruggles,  deceased  ;  and  Samuel  Brown  was  elected  in  place  of  R.  K.  Ran- 
dolph, removed  from  town. 

J.  D.  Northam,  D.  G.  Cook,  and  S.  Brown,  were  appointed  a  Committee 
to  confer  with  the  proprietors  of  the  no.rth  side  of  Long  Wharf,  in  regard  to 
building  a  wall  in-front  of  their  buildings,  provided  the  Trustees  will  place  a 
good  sidewalk  the  whole  distance,  and  to  obtain  quitclaims  to  any  individual 
rights  they  claim  on  -the  south  side,  except  for  landing  articles  for  their  own 
use,  in  case  the  Trustees  should  decide  to  widen  the  wharf,  from  Sherman's 
Wharf  to  Gravelly  Point,  say  fifteen  or  twenty  feet,  and  said  Committee  to 
report  to  the  next  meeting.  J.  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen  to  fill  any  vacancy  in 
the  Committee  from  the  Board  of  Trustees.  The  Treasurer  directed  to 
doposit  in  Savings  Bank  the  balance  in  his  hands. 

Voted,  That  all  steamers  coming  to,  or  going  from  Long  Wharf,  shall  shut 
their  dampers,  or  so  regulate  their  fires  as  to  prevent  the  fires  from  the  chim- 


LONG  WHARF.  83 

neys  from  doing  damage  while  the  boat  is  within  a  cable's  length,  or  120 
fathoms  of  the  wharf. 

April  28.— A  letter  received  by  D.  G.  Cook  from  Capt.  J.  J..Comstock,  of 
steamer  Bay  State,  to  the  Trustees,  was  presented,  asking  for  higher  fenders 
to  be  placed  at  the  corners  of  the  wharf,  also  two  fenders  of  same  height 
midway  of  the  head  of  the  wharf,  all  to  be  twelve  feet  above  a  usual  high 
tide,  or  perhaps  fifteen  feet  above.  As  it  is  possible  there  will  be  a  perma- 
nent line  daily,  it  is  necessary  to  have  every  facility  for  landing  and  receiving 
passengers  with  safety  and  dispatch.  Also  asking  permission  to  erect  a 
dolphin,  at  their  own  expense,  at  the  north  of  the  wharf;  also  if  something 
could  be  done  to  preserve  order  during  the  landing  of  passengers,  their  com- 
fort would  be  promoted.  G.  Bowen  and  J.  Stevens  were  appointed  a  Com- 
mittee to  carry  the  foregoing  into  effect*  as  fajr  as  regards  the  fenders.  D.  G. 
Cook  and  D.  M.  Coggeshall  were  appointed  a  Committee  to  apply  to  the 
Legislature  at  their  next  session,  for  a  grant  to  erect  a  dolphin,  as  requested. 

July  12. — The  Committee  on  widening  the  wharf  reported  favorably  to  the 
project,  which  was  accepted,  the  estimated  cost  $13.15,  which  was  agreed  to 
be  carried  into  effect,  and  G.  Bowen  and  J.  Stevens,  the  General  Committee 
on  Repairs,  were  instructed  to  do  it,  and  also  to  make  repairs  in  the  way  of 
sidewalks,  as  they  may  think  best,  on  the  north  side. 

Voted,  That  D.  G.  Cook  be  a  committee  to  answer  the  Captain  of  the  Bay 
State,  in  regard  to  building  the  dolphin ;  the  same  and  Mr.  Finch  are 
instructed  to  lay  before  the  Council,  the  request  of  Capt.  Comstock,  in  rela- 
tion to  the  trouble  and  confusion  of  landing  on  the  arrival  of  the  boats,  and 
ask  them  to  take  such  measures  as  they  may  deem  expedient,  and  inform  Capt. 
Comstock. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs  be  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Treas- 
ury, from  time  to  time,  as  money  may  be  wanted. 

The  following  document  was  presented  : 

The  undersigned,  proprietors  of  lots  on  the  north  side  of  Long  Wharf,  in 
case  the  Trustees  of  the  lower  part  of  the  wharf  should  adopt  the  plan  of 
widening  it,  by  building  out  on  the  south  side,  opposite  our  lots,  as  far 
down  as  the  bridge,  hereby  agree  to  relinquish  all  our  right  to  occupy  or  use 
the  ground  in  front  of  our  lots  respectively,  except  that  we  are  still  to  retain 
all  our  rights  and  privileges  to  the  wharf-front,  the  same  as  we  now  enjoy,  to 
the  extent  of  twelve  feet  north,  from  the  south  edge  of  the  wharf,  the 
remainder  of  the  space  to  be  thereafter  entirely  free  and  unobstructed  as  * 
highway,  for  the  use  of  the  public,  the  same  as  any  other  street  in  Newport, 
32 


84  APPENDIX   C. 

it  being  understood  that  the  proprietors  of  the  lots  are  to  keep  up  the  north 
wall,  or  line  of  their  lots,  on  the  street  or  highway,  and  in  such  repair  that 
the  Trustees  may  lay  a  sidewalk  on  the  north  side  of  such  highway,  if  they 
should  see  fit  to  do  so,  the  Trustees  to  have  the  right  to  land  all  materials  for 
construction  or  repairs  of  the  wharf,  wherever  they  may  think  proper. 

E.    TREVETT, 
CALEB  S.   KNIGHT, 
W.   D.   SOTJTHWICK, 

her 

PENELOPE  M   KNIGHT, 
mark 

BENJAMIN   EDDY,  Agent  for  S.  Gray. 

October  10.  R.  K.  Randolph,  not  intending  to  resign  his  Trusteeship,  the 
vote  electing  Samuel  Brown  in  his  place  was  rescinded,  and  Samuel  Brown  is 
elected  in  place  of  David  M.  Coggeshall,  deceased.  Robert  P.  Lee  was 
elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  for  the  remainder  of  the  year,  in  place  of 
D.  M.  Coggeshall,  deceased. 

It  was  Voted,  That  the  Committee  to  repair  the  wharf,  be  authorized  to 
build  such  a  shed  on  the  end  of  the  wharf  as  they  may  think  necessary  and 
proper  for  the  accommodation  of  the  steamboat  passengers  and  freight. 

1848.  April  10.  Annual  Meeting.  Stephen  T.  Northam,  Chairman  for 
the  ensuing  year  ;  Robert  P.  Lee,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  ;  Theophilus  Top- 
ham,  Wharfinger  ;  S.  Barker  and  G.  Bowen,  Auditors ;  John  Stevens  and 
G.  Bowen,  Committee  on  Repairs,  were  severally  elected.  Christopher  G. 
Perry  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Thomas  Bush,  deceased. 

1848.  May  15. — Mr.  Bowen,  from  the  Committee  on  Repairs,  stated  that 
from  the  damage  done  by  steamboats,  in  addition  to  the  ordinary  wear  and 
tear,  to  the  head  of  the  wharf  it  would  require  considerable  expense  to  put 
it  in  such  order  as  the  steamboats  would  require,  and  that,  in  the  opinion 
of  the  Committee,  the  steamboats  do  not  pay  sufficient  wharfage  to  warrant 
the  expense  of  such  repairs.  After  discussion,  it  was 

Voted,  That  John  Stevens  and  George  Bowen,  the  Committee,  be  author- 
ized to  confer  with  the  owners  of  the  steamboats,  and  endeavor  to  agree  with 
them  for  such  additional  wharfage  for  the  future  as  may  be  proper. 

Three  proprietors  of  lots  on  the  north  side  of  Long  Wharf,  west  of  the 
bridge,  in  order  that  the  improvement  already  carried  into  effect  as  far  west 
as  the  bridge,  shall  be  continued,  in  order  to  form  a  better  thoroughfare  for 
the  use  of  the  public,  have,  for  that  purpose,  agreed  to  keep  the  space 


LONG   WHARF.  85 

in  front  of  their  lots  free,  reserving  their  right  to  the  wharf  front,  leaving 
the  highway  twenty-eight  feet  wide,  the  proprietors  to  keep  up  the  wall  on 
the  north  side  of  the  street,  so  that  a  sidewalk  may  be  laid  —  the  Trustees 
to  straighten  the  south  wall  as  may  be  necessary,  and  place  curb-stones  and 
a  paved  gutter  on  the  north  side.  Their  agreement  signed  by  Proprietors, 
November  12,  1847. 

WILLIAM  SOUTHWICK. 

STEPHEN  SOUTHWICK. 

JOSEPH  SOUTHWICK. 

1849.  April  18. — Annual  Meeting.    C.  Devens  was  elected  a  Trustee  in 
place  of  B.  A.  Mason,  removed  to  New  York  ;  Robert  Sherman,  2d,  was 
elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  R.  K.  Randolph,  deceased ;  J.  D.  Northam, 
Chairman  ;  R.  P.  Lee,  Secretary  and  Treasurer  ;  T.  Topham,  Wharfinger ; 
S.  Barker  and  G.  Bowen,  Auditors  ;  J.  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen,  Committee 
on  Repairs,  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  Committee  to  agree  with  steamboat  owners,  in  regard  to  future  regu- 
lations, made  a  verbal  report,  that  they  had  agreed  that  the  Trustees  would 
put  the  wharf  in  complete  order,  and  after  that  the  steamboat  owners  agree 
to  repair  all  damages  they  may  cause. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  made  a  written  report,  which  was  accepted. 
Jf  Stevens  and  G.  Bowen,  the  Committee,  presented  their  bill  for  services, 
$300.  The  bill  was  read,  and  no  motion  taken  on  it ;  but  it  was  Voted, 
That  Mr.  Stevens  and  Mr.  Bowen  be  paid  $100  each  in  full  compensation. 

Voted,  That  from  and  after  this  day,  no  person  on  any  committee  shall 
receive  any  compensation  for  his  services,  unless  specially  agreed  upon  at 
the  time  of  his  appointment. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs  be  requested  to  make  a  full  and 
more  detailed  report  of  the  repairs  done  under  their  direction  than  in  the 
report  read  to-day,  and  report  to  the  next  meeting. 

1850.  April  10. — Annual  Meeting.     The  Chairman,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer, Wharfinger,  Auditors,  and  Committee  on  Repairs,  were  all  re-elected 
for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  Treasurer  was  directed  to  deposit  in  the  Savings  Bank  any  moneys  he 
may  have  on  hand. 

1851.  April  10. —  Annual  meeting.     All  the  Officers  of  last  year  were  re- 
elected  for  the  present  year. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Brown  and  Christopher  G.  Perry  be  a  Committee  to 
inquire  into  the  Original  Trust  of  the  Trustees  of  Long  Wharf,  and  Public 


86  APPENDIX    C. 

School,  and  also   to  inquire  into  the  Trust  relating  to  establishing  Free 
Schools,  and  report  at  the  next  meeting. 

1852.  April  10. — Annual  Meeting.     All  the  Officers  of  the  past  year 
were  again  elected  for  the  year. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs  be  authorized  to  lay  a  sidewalk 
and  build  a  close  board  fence  on  the  north  side  of  Long  Wharf,  between 
Smith  &  Covill's  boatbuilders'  shop  and  the  store  belonging  to  the  heirs  of 
the  late  Henry  Bull  (formerly  S.  Martin's  store),  several  small  sheds  having 
recently  been  erected  on  the  south  side  of  Long  Wharf,  eastward  of  Grav- 
elly Point,  which  the  Trustees  deem  to  be  a  trespass,  and  not  allowed 
according  to  the  charter  of  the  Proprietors.  The  Secretary  of  the  Trustees 
is  requested  to  represent  the  matter  to  the  Treasurer  of  the  town,  and  if 
such  sheds  are  placed  there  without  a  legal  right  to  do  so,  to  request  said 
Treasurer  to  have  them  removed. 

August  9. — Special  Meeting.  In  consequence  of  the  death  of  Theophilus 
Topham,  Wharfinger,  it  was 

Voted,  That  John  Hull  be  Wharfinger  for  the  balance  of  the  year. 

A  committee  was  appointed  to  inform  Mr.  Hull  of  his  election,  and  to 
ascertain  whether  his  custom-house  duties  would  interfere  with  his  office  of 
Wharfinger. 

1853.  April  14.— Annual  Meeting.     S.  T.  Northam,  Chairman  ;  R.  P. 
Lee,  Secretary  and  Treasurer ;  John  Hull,  Wharfinger  ;  S.  Barker  and  G. 
Bowen,  Auditors  ;  W.  Sherman,  G.  Bowen  and  W.  C.  Cozzens,  Committee 
on  Repairs,  were  elected  for  the  ensuing  year. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  were  requested  to  advise  with  the  Wharfinger, 
in  regard  to  rates  to  be  charged  for  wharfage,  and  in  such  other  matters  as 
relates  to  his  duty. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  are  requested  to  take  into  consideration  the 
propriety  of  widening  the  head  of  the  wharf,  on  the  north  side,  and  to  make 
an  estimate  of  its  cost ;  also  to  procure  an  Act  from  the  State  Legislature 
for  that  purpose. 

1854.  April  10.— -Annual  Meeting.     The  Chairman,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer, Wharfinger,  and  Committee  on  Repairs,  were  re-elected  for  the  ensuing 
year,  and  Samuel  Barker  and  Robert  Sherman,  2d,  Auditors. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  inform  the  Fall  River  Steamboat  Company  that 
after  May  1,  1854,  they  will  be  required  to  pay  $1,200  for  the  same  accom- 
modation as  the  past  year. 


LONG   WHARF.  87 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  were  directed  to  extend  the  sidewalk  on  the 
north  side  of  the  wharf,  to  the  west  end  of  the  lower  store,  and  around  the 
corner  to  the  steamboat  office. 

The  same  Committee  were  directed  to  contract  with  the  Gas  Company,  to 
light  the  wharf,  provided  they  can  make  a  satisfactory  arrangement. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  be  authorized  to  widen  the  wharf,  on  the  south 
side,  from  the  Messer  estate  westward  to  meet  the  southeast  corner  of  the 
present  projection,  if  they  deem  it  expedient  to  do  so. 

1855.  April  12. — Annual  meeting.     The  Chairman,  Secretary  and  Treas- 
urer, Wharfinger,  and  Committee  on  Repairs,  were  re-elected  for  this  year, 
and  D.  G.  Conk  and  R.  Sherman  2d,  Auditors. 

Voted,  That  Robert  S.  Barker  and  David  J.  Gould  be  Trustees,  in  place  of 
Samuel  Barker  and  Christopher  G.  Perry,  deceased. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs,  be  directed  to  light  the  Long 
Wharf  from  Thames  Street,  to  the  west  end  of  the  wharf. 

Voted,  That  "the  Committee  on  Repairs  be  instructed  to  extend  the  sidewalk 
on  the  north  side  of  the  wharf  from  Washington  Street  to  meet  the  walk 
already  laid,  and  to  make  a  walk  in  all  such  other  places  as  may  require  it, 
on  said  north  side,  between  said  Washington  Street  and  the  estate  of  Miss 
Richardson. 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs,  be  directed  to  confer  with  the 
proprietors  of  the  Fall  River  Steamboat  Company,  and  ascertain  what  alter- 
ations and  improvements,  if  any,  they  require  for  the  accommodations  of 
their  boats  and  passengers,  and  if  they  can  make  a  satisfactory  bargain  for 
the  use  of  the  additional  accommodation,  to  make  such  alterations  and 
improvements,  in  their  discretion,  and  draw  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  cost 
thereof.  Mr.  Samuel  Allen  stated  that  he  resided  in  Middletown,  and  there- 
fore wished  to  resign  his  place  as  Trustee.  It  was  voted  not  to  fill  the  place 
of  Mr.  Allen  until  the  next  meeting. 

1856.  April  10. — Annual  meeting.     Charles  Devens  was  chosen  Chairman 
for  the  year,  R.  P.  Lee,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  John  Hull,  Wharfinger, 
D.  G.  Cook  and  R.  Sherman,  Auditors,  W.  0.  Cozzens,  William  Sherman, 
and  G.  Bowen,  Committee  on  Repairs.     Whereas  the  Committee  on  Repairs 
have  erected  a  new  depot  building   on   the  end  of  the   wharf,   and  have 
insured  $3,400  on  the  same,  in  the  Providence  Mutual  Company  for  seven 
years  from  October  4,  1855,  it  is  hereby 

Voted,  That  the  Trustees  sanction  said  act. 

Voted,  That  the  renting  of  the  new  depot  be  left  entirely  to  the  discretion 
of  the  Committee  on  Repairs. 


88  APPENDIX   C. 

June  5.  A  special  meeting.  E.  "W.  Lawton,  Chairman,  pro  tern.  ;  C. 
Devens,  the  standing  Chairman,  not  present  at  the  commencement  of  the 
meeting.  The  Secretary  stated  that  he  had  called  the  meeting  by  request  of 
the  Committee  on  Lighting  the  Wharf,  for  the  Trustees  to  receive  a  commu- 
nication from  the  Gas  Company,  stating  the  terms  on  which  the  Company 
would  light  the  Wharf.  The  communication  was  read,  and  the  Trustees  de- 
clined the  proposal.  It  was  then 

Voted,  That  the  Committee  on  Repairs  agree  with  the  Gas  Company  to 
light  ten  posts  on  the  wharf,  at  a  price  not  exceeding  $33  per  post,  per 
annum  ;  the  Trustees  to  furnish  the  posts  and  lanterns  and  to  keep  them  in 
repair. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  are  authorized  and  requested  to  attend  to  any 
business  that  may  come  before  the  State  Legislature,  in  which  the  Trustees 
of  the  Long  Wharf  are  interested,  and  they  are  empowered  to  employ  counsel 
if  they  deem  it  necessary. 

1857.  April  10.  —  Annual  meeting.     All  the  officers  of  the  past  year  were 
re-elected  for  the  present  year. 

July  31.  —  A  special  meeting.  The  Committee  on  Repairs  were  author- 
ized to  make  any  contract  with  the  Bay  State  Company  in  regard  to  commu- 
tations of  freight  landed  from  said  Company's  boats  which  they  may  deem 
best  for  the  interest  of  the  Trustees. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  made  a  report,  that  in  consequence  of  an  appli- 
cation from  the  Bay  State  Company  for  a  lease  of-  the  wharf  and  depot  build- 
ing, they  had  contracted  with  the  agent  of  said  Company  for  the  use  of  the 
head  of  Long  Wharf,  for  the  use  of  their  boats,  and  for  the  occupancy  of  the 
depot  building,  they  paying  at  the  rate  of  $1700  per  year  for  the  Wharf  and 
building.  The  lease  to  continue  from  July  1, 1857,  to  July  1, 1859.  It  was 

Voted,  That  the  above  report  be  accepted,  and  that  this  Board  approve  and 
ratify  said  contract. 

1858.  April  10.  —  At  the  annual  meeting,  all  the  officers  of  the  past  year 
were  re-elected  for  this  year.     Judge  William  R.  Staples,  who  was  employed 
by  the  Trustees  to  examine  all  the  papers,  books,  and  acts  of  the  Trustees, 
from  the  commencement  in  1795  to  1857,  in  order  to  determine  the  exact 
situation  of  the  Trustees  with  the  Long  Wharf  and  Public  School,  made  his 
written  report. 

It  was  Voted,  That  the  said  report  be  accepted,  arid  that  the  Secretary 
record  the  same  in  the  Book  of  Records  of  the  Trustees  and  place  the  origi- 
nal on  file. 


L0NG   WHARF.  89 

It  was  Voted,  That  Robert  P.  Lee,  Secretary  and  Treasurer,  have  for  his 
services  fifty  dollars  per  year. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be  authorized  to  place  in  the  Savings  Bank  of 
Newport  all  the  money  that  he  has  now  on  hand,  and  all  that  he  may  receive 
from  time  to  time  which  he  may  deem  sufficient  to  deposit. 

The  Committee  on  Repairs  are  authorized  to  make  good  ^nd  substantial 
fences  across  the  gaps  or  openings  between  the  stores  on  the  wharf,  west  of 
Gravelly  Point,  provided  the  owners  of  the  stores  will  agree  to  have  them  do 
so. 

1859.  April  IS.  —  Adjourned  annual  meeting.  The  officers  of  last  year 
were  re-elected  for  this  year. 

Voted,  That-the  Committee  on  Repairs  be  authorized  to  continue  the  ser- 
vices of  Mr.  John  Hull,  Wharfinger,  after  the  1st  of  July  next,  in  case  they 
arrange  with  the  Bay  State  Company  for  commuting  the  wharfage,  at  a 
salary  of  $100  per  year  and  20  per  cent  on  all  wharfage  from  other  sources. 

Voted,  That  the  salary  of  the  Secretary  and  Treasurer  be  $75  instead  of 
$50  per  year. 

The  amount  of  funds  in  Savings  Bank,  arising  from  sales  of  Potter  Estate, 
so  called,  up  to  January  1,  1859,  was  $1,810.56. 

July  23. — John  Hull,  Wharfinger,  resigned,  and  John  Stevens  was 
appointed  Wharfinger  for  the  remainder  of  the  year.  The  Committee  on 
Repairs  to  inform  Mr.  Stevens  of  his  appointment. 

The  Trustees  are  indebted  to  the  Report  of  Judge  W.  R. 
Staples,  for  the  following  items  of  the  history  of  the  Long 
Wharf,  he  having  been  applied  to  for  an  opinion  as  to  the 
rights  and  powers  of  the  Trustees,  and  of  their  doings  since 
their  appointment,  under  the  Act  of  the  General  Assembly  of 
January,  1795: 

The  town  of  Newport,  before  the  year  1702,  owned  a  wharf  where  the 
Long  Wharf  now  is  ;  probably  the  space  was  originally  left  by  the  pur- 
chasers for  a  public  landing  place,  and  that  it  passed  to  the  town  with  other 
undivided  lands,  when  the  purchasers  relinquished  their  title  to  such  undi- 
vided lands  to  the  towns.  Before  1702  there  had  been  a  wharf  built  at  this 
place,  a  town  wharf,  which  was  probably  like  the  original  landing  place, 
open  to  all,  and  that  it  was  built  and  maintained  at  the  public  expense. 


90  APPENDIX   C. 

The  Wharf  in  1702  had  gone  much  to  decay,  and  at  that  time  there  was 
no  likelihood  of  its  being  repaired  again.  The  town  therefore  agreed  that 
"  them  persons  in  company  (as  they  were  called)  that  shall  repair  the 
Wharf,  and  keep  it  in  repair,  shall  have  the  power  to  choose  a  Wharfinger, 
and  take  the  usual  custom  of  wharfage,  both  for  wood  and  for  other  things 
landed  thereory"  See  vote  of  the  town,  April  29,  1702. 

The  object  of  this  vote  was  to  secure  to  the  inhabitants  the  advantages  of 
a  wharf  at  that  place,  and,  at  the  same  time,  to  free  the  town  from  the 
expense  of  repairing  it,  that  burden  being  shifted  from  the  town  to  the 
persons  who  used  it.  It  had  ceased  to  be  a  free  wharf.  A  right  to  collect 
wharfage  on  goods  landed  on  it  became  vested  in  "  them  persons  in  com- 
pany," and  became  theirs  so  long  as  they  kept  it  in  repair.  It  does  not 
appear  that  they  forfeited  that  right.  See  vote  of  the  town,  October  3, 
1739. 

It  is  inferred  from  this  vote,  that  the  public  required  greater  wharf  accom- 
modations at  that  place,  both  in  width  and  length,  than  the  old  town  wharf 
afforded,  and  that  "  them  persons  in  company  "  were  not  able  or  willing  to 
make  the  outlay  required  for  that  purpose.  It  appears,  however,  that  there 
were  other  individuals* more  venturesome, 'or  more  public  spirited,  who  would, 
and  the  town,  on  their  petition,  granted  to  them  the  old  town  wharf,  the 
unoccupied  lands  adjoining  north  and  south  on  Thames  Street,  the  flats 
westward  to  Easton's  Point,  the  right  to  build  the  wharf  across  Easton's 
Point,  the  flats  west  of  Easton's  Point,  800  feet,  and  the  water-right,  45 
feet  in  width,  on  each  side  of  the  wharf. 

The  petitioners  were  to  agree  with  the  owners  of  the  town  wharf,  and 
with  the  owners  of  land  at  Easton's  Point.  They  were  to  build  a  wharf  50 
feet  in  width,  the  whole  length  from  Thames  Street,  of  the  granted  prem- 
ises, leaving  a  channel- way  through  it  into  the  Cove,  with  a  draw-bridge,  on 
the  south  side  of  the  wharf.  They  were  to  leave  a  way  open  30  feet  in 
width,  for  the  better  landing  of  wood  and  merchandise.  The  effect  of  this 
vote  was  a  divesting  of  the  town  of  all  right  in  the  old  town  wharf,  in  the 
unoccupied  lands  on  Thames  Street,  and  in  the  flats  to  the  westward  ;  and 
whatever  rights  they  had  became  invested  in  the  petitioners,  for  the  pur- 
poses of  the  grant,  that  is,  for  the  purpose  of  building  and  maintaining  a 
wharf  thereon,  of  the  dimensions  before  stated. 

The  petitioners  entered  into  possession  of  the  granted  premises  ;  and  that 
they  agreed  with  the  owners  of  the  town  wharf,  and  lands  on  Easton's  Point, 
may  be  inferred  from  other  facts  in  the  history  of  the  wharf.  They  applied 
to  the  General  Assembly  in  1769  for  leave  to  raise  £1,350  by  lottery,  to 


LONG  WHAEF.  91 

enable  them  to  complete  their  agreement  with  the  town  of  Newport,  by 
extending  the  wharf  170  feet  further  west,  and  also  to  pave  the  east  end 
near  Thames  Street.  The  petition  was  granted,  but  the  petitioners  were 
required  first  to  pave  the  east  end  of  the  wharf,  and  to  extend  it  westward 
with  the  balance  of  the  avails  of  the  lottery.  As  the  paving  was  not  done, 
it  is  believed  the  wharf  was  not  extended.  By  a  map  of  Newport,  engraved 
in  1777,  this  wharf  appears  less  than  700  feet  in  length  at  that  time.  It 
therefore  appears  the  proprietors  received  nothing  from  the  Lottery  Grant ; 
they  had,  however,  built  a  wharf,  which  if  it  did  not  conform  exactly  with 
the  one  contracted  to  be  built,  was  accepted  and  used  by  the  public. 

There  is  no  evidence  that  any  complaint  was  ever  made  against  it,  by  the 
town.  That  the  wharf  was  suffered  to  decay  during  the  War  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, that  it  was  not  repaired  during  that  contest,  and  that  it  was  ruthlessly 
destroyed  by  the  British  soldiery  for  fire-wood,  while  in  possession  of  New- 
port, are  facts  beyond  controversy.  It  is  not  probable  that  it  received  much 
attention  during  the  disastrous  period  which  followed  the  Revolutionary  War, 
up  to  the  adoption  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States  by  the  State. 
No  complaint  was  made,  however,  about  it,  at  this  or  any  other  time,  while 
in  their  hands,  up  to  1795. 


THE  ACT  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY,  JANUARY,  1795. 

Without  petition  or  complaint  from  any  one,  on  motion,  the  Assembly 
authorized  thirty-six  persons,  citizens  of  Newport,  who  are  named  in  the 
Act,  to  set  forth  a  scheme  to  raise  by  lottery  twenty-five  thousand  dollars. 

They  were  to  appoint  Managers  of  the  Lottery,  who  were  to  give  bonds  to 
the  General  Treasurer,  for  .the  faithful  performance  of  their  Trust  as  Managers. 
The  powers  conferred  on  them  were  very  broad.  How  the  wharf  should  be 
rebuilt,  after  a  title  to  it  had  been  procured,  what  kind  of  a  hotel  and  where 
to  be  located,  are  left  to  the  discretion  of  these  Trustees,  who  are  to  act 
without  bond  or  oath,  in  discharge  of  their  part  of  the  Trust. 

After  the  wharf  and  hotel  were  completed,  the  Trustees  were  to  apply  the 
rents  and  profits  arising  from  them  to  such  a  Public  School  for  the  children 
of  Newport,  and  in  such  way  and  manner,  and  under  such  regulations  as  the 
Trustees  should  impose.  And  the  Trust  to  last  through  all  time,  the  right 
of  filling  vacancies  in  the  number  being  specially  conferred  on  the  survivors. 
The  Board  of  Trustees  originated  with  the  Assembly  ;  the  funds  which  they 
were  to  raise  and  appropriate,  were  provided  by  the  Assembly.  No  person 
33 


92  APPENDIX    C. 

was  compelled  to  contribute  toward  the  fund,  and  no  person  was  compelled 
to  be  benefitted  by  it. 

This  Act  of  the  Assembly  did  not  affect  the  title  or  ownership  of  the  Long 
Wharf;  it  did  not  pretend  to  do  so,  nor  did  the  Trustees  created  by  it  so 
understand  it,  as  at  their  very  first  meeting  they  appointed  a  committee  to 
ascertain  by  what  means  they  could  obtain  the  fee  of  it  —  they  seemed  to 
suppose  there  would  be  no  difficulty  in  obtaining  it  at  once.  This  expecta- 
tion was  probably  based  on  the  situation  of  the  wharf  at  that  time,  requiring 
to  be  rebuilt  and  yielding  no  adequate  return  for  the  use,  to  which,  as 
Trustees,  after  being  repaired  or  rebuilt  by  the  avails  of  the  Lottery,  they 
were  to  apply  the  net  rents  and  profits. 

Their  first  meeting  was  on  the  14th  February,  1795,  the  proceedings  were 
as  per  Book  of  Records  of  the  Trustees,  p.  3. 

On  the  22d  March,  1798,  the  Trustees  resolved  that  they -would  put  the 
wharf  in  repair,  as  soon  as  they  could  get  a  deed  of  the  same  ;  at  the  same 
time  they  invoked  the  town  to  aid  them  in  procuring  a  title  to  the  wharf. 
Urged  Ijy  the  Trustees,  a  Town  Meeting  was  held  29th  March,  1798,  at  which 
a  committee  was  appointed  to  inquire  into  the  situation  of  the  wharf,  and  in 
relation  to  the  title  to  it.  This  committee  reported  to  the  Town  Meeting  in 
April,  but  the  report  is  not  on  file. 

The  subject  came  before  the  Town  Meeting  in  June,  1798,  and  the  Town 
Resolved,  That  inasmuch  as  the  proprietors  of  that  part  of  the  Long  Wharf 
west  of  Gravelly  Point  had  for  many  years  neglected  to  comply  with  the 
conditions  contained  in  the  original  grant,  and  thereby  had  forfeited  all  right 
to  the  same,  and  as  the  rebuilding  of  the  same  would  be  both  ornamental 
and  useful  to  the  town,  they  voted,  that  all  the  right  of  the  town  in  the  Long 
Wharf  west  of  Gravelly  Point  be  transferred  to  the  Trustees  of  the  Long 
Wharf  Hotel  and  Public  School  Lottery  for  the  purpose,  contemplated  in  the 
Act  of  Incorporporation,  "  on  condition  of  their  rebuilding  the  same,  and 
keeping  it  in  repair,  agreeably  to  the  original  grant  to  the  proprietors  of  the 
Long  Wharf." 

Six  months  were  allowed  to  the  proprietors  of  the  other  part  of  the  Long 
Wharf  to  put  that  in  repair.  The  Town  Treasurer  was  directed  to  make  a 
deed  to  the  Trustees  of  that  part  granted,  but  no  such  deed  is  on  record. 

But  when  it  is  shown  that  the  Trustees  entered  into  the  possession  of  the 
premises  voted  tow them,  and  continued  in  possession  from  that  time  to  the 
present  without  legal  objection  from  the  proprietors  of  the  Long  Wharf, 
there  is  every  necessary  presumption  to  support  the  title  of  the  Trustees  ; 
and  when  it  is  evident  that  the  Trustees,  on  taking  possession,  proceeded 


LONG   WHARF.  93 

immediately,  with  all  speed  of  their  times,  to  rebuild  the  wharf,  and  expend 
large  sums  of  money  on  it,  within  sight  and  cognizance  of  the  proprietors 
and  the  town  ;  that  on  the  23d  February,  1799,  they  appointed  a  committee 
to  survey  the  wharf. 

On  the  5th  April   they  voted,  To  advertise  for  proposals  to  rebuild  it. 

On  the  19th  July  appointed  a  committee  to  rebuild  it,  and  on  the  llth 
May,  1801,  had  expended  all  their  funds  derived  from  the  Lottery  Grant,  and 
authorized  their  Treasurer  to  borrow  $1,800  to  complete  the  work. 

Any  Court  of  Equity  would  mulct  the  complainant  in  costs,  who  should 
now  move  it  to  declare  no  title  in  the  Trustees.  A  Court  of  Law,  too,  would 
not  hesitate  to  adjudge  the  title  good,  under  a  plea  of  possession,  accom- 
panied with  such  circumstances.  It  is  therefore  assumed  that  the  Trustees, 
by  virtue  of  this  vote  of  the  Town  and  their  acts  and  possession,  and  the 
silence  and  acquiescence  of  the  proprietors  under  it,  are  the  owners  of  that 
part  of  the  Long  Wharf  to  the  westward  of  Gravelly  Point. 

The  Trustees  appointed  by  the  General  Assembly,  were  a  body,  by  the  Act 
which  created  them,  fully  authorized  to  fill  vacancies  in  their  Board,  and  so 
perpetuate  their  existence ;  they  had  no  need  of  a  Charter  of  Incorporation. 
But  it  was  not  so  with  the  grantees  of  the  Town  in  1739  ;  they  retained  their 
individual  character.  Upon  the  decease  of  one  of  them,  his  interest  passed  to 
his  heirs,  and  hence  it  was  that  in  1801 ,  when,  on  the  division  of  the  wharf 
between  them  and  the  Trustees,  they  had  become  possessed  of  a  valuable 
property  that  they  felt  the  necessity,  and  applied  to  the  General  Assembly,  for 
an  Act  of  Incorporation. 

In  answer  to  the  question  of  what  were  the  rights  of  the  Trustees  under 
this  vote  of  the  town  in  1798,  it  is  to  be  said  that  they  were  to  hold  the 
part  granted,  for  the  purpose  contemplated  in  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  on 
condition  of  their  rebuilding  the  same  and  keeping  it  in  repair,  agreeably  to 
the  original  grant  to  the  proprietors  of  the  Long  Wharf.  They  then  had  it 
in  trust,  with  no  pecuniary  advantage  to  themselves,  except  what  they  might 
have  in  common  with  other  inhabitants  of  Newport,  in  the  use  of  the  wharf 
on  paying  wharfage,  and  the  advantage  arising  from  a  public  school.  There 
is  no  provision  in  the  Trust  Deed,  or  Act  of  the  Assembly,  for  any  pay  for 
any  services  as  Trustees,  and  of  course  they  are  not  entitled  to  any. 
"  Charges  and  Repairs  "  are  alone  to  be  deducted  from  the  rents  and  profits. 
•  They  were  to  rebuild  and  keep  in  repair  that  part  of  Long  Wharf  agree- 
ably to  the  original  grant.  If  by  original  grant  reference  is  had  to  the  town 
vote  of  1702,  the  conditions  are  very  loose  ;  no  length  or  breadth  of  the 
wharf  is  required ;  simply  to  repair  the  old  town  wharf ;  and  for  this  they 


94  APPENDIX    C. 

were  to  receive  wharfage  for  wood  and  any  other  thing  landed  thereon.  If 
reference  is  meant  to  the  grant  of  1739,  there  is  more  exactness  and  cer- 
tainty in  the  terms  imposed  on  the  grantees.  They  were  to  build  a  wharf 
50  feet  wide,  extending  800  feet  west  of  Gravelly  Point  from  low  water  mark, 
a  good  and  substantial  wharf,  and  always  leaving  30  feet  in  width  of  the  said 
wharf  on  the  south  side  free  and  clear  of  buildings  and  other  incumbrances, 
for  the  better  landing  of  wood,  lumber,  &c.,  for  the  benefit  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, according  to  the  grant  in  the  year  1702.  This  reference  to  the  Act  of 
1702  must  have  been  to  bring  into  view  the  clause  of  the  Act  granting 
wharfage  on  wood,  and  other  things  landed  on  the  wharf;  this  however  was 
hardly  necessary,  as  the  fee  of  the  land,  as  far  as  it  could  be,  was  trans- 
ferred to  the  grantees. 

The  Trustees  did  build  a  wharf  of  the  required  length  and  width,  without 
any  unnecessary  delay.  They  kept  it  in  repair,  whenever  injured  by  storm 
or  flood,  or  accident ;  it  has  been  repaired  and  rebuilt.  They  were  to  build 
a  hotel  also,  from  the  avails  of  the  lottery  grant.  This  they  have  not  done. 
It  seems  from  the  records  before  referred  to,  that  more  than  all  the  avails 
from  that  source  were  used  in  repairing  the  wharf.  Taking  it  for  granted 
that  this  is  so,  they  surely  are  not  in  fault  in  not  building  the  hotel.  All  the 
funds  put  into  their  hands  is  this  Lottery  Grant.  It  is  not  declared  which 
shall  be  built  first,  the  wharf  or  the  hotel,  and  if  the  whole  amount  ex- 
pected from  that  source  had  been  realized,  both  would  probably  have  been 
completed. 

But  they  did  not,  and  probably  could  not,  raise  it  all,  and  they  elected  as  an 
object  of  the  greatest  importance,  the  rebuilding  of  the  wharf,  rather  than 
the  erecting  of  the  hotel.  The  General  Assembly  saw  their  course  of  pro- 
ceeding ;  the  town  of  Newport,  the  proprietors  of  the  Long  Wharf,  were  all 
cognizant  of  it ;  and  there  is  no  evidence  of  any  fault  found  with  them  by 
any  one.  The  silence  ratified  the  selection  of  the  Trustees,  and  justified  their 
proceedings  in  relation  to  the  wharf  and  hotel. 

THE  ACT  OF  THE  GENERAL  ASSEMBLY  OF  MAY,  1829. 

This  Act,  too,  was  passed  at  the  mere  motion  of  the  Legislature.  It  is 
not  based  on  any  petition  of  the  Trustees  or  any  other  person.  The  General 
Assembly  assumed,  by  the  first  section,  to  appropriate  the  west  end  or  head 
of  this  wharf,  to  the  exclusive  use  of  the  steamers  plying  between  this  State 
and  New  York,  and  makes  it  penal  for  any  other  vessel  to  make  any  use  of 
that  part  of  the  wharf,  or  of  any  part  of  the  sides  so  as  to  interfere  with 


LONG  WHARF.  95 

that  exclusive  use  of  the  head  by  said  steamers.  The  object  of  this  Act  is 
very  apparent ;  it  was  to  facilitate  steamboat  communication  between  New- 
port and  New  York. 

The  wharf  being  a  public  wharf,  as  before  stated,  in  the  sense  there  inti- 
mated, these  steam  packets  had  a  right  in  common  with  all  other  vessels  to 
stop  at  it,  without  an  Act  of  the  Legislature  ;  it  might  not  be  in  the  power 
of  the  owners  of  such  a  wharf  to  give  a  preference  in  the  use  of  the  wharf, 
to  one  class  of  vessels  over  another.  The  advantages  which  would  result 
to  the  State  from  such  a  line  of  steamboat  communication,  and  the  increased 
safety  to  passengers  on  such  a  route  by  such  legislation,  might  induce  the 
General  Assembly  to  grant  this  power  to  a  wharf  owner.  A  similar  exclu- 
sive use  of  the  ferry  wharves  in  this  State  is  vested  in  the  ferry  owners. 

The  Trustees,  by  the  second  section,  are  empowered  to  make  a  contract 
with  the  owners  or  agents  of  such  steamers,  for  the  exclusive  use  of  the 
head  of  the  wharf;  for  it  is  only  when  such  contract  is  in  force,  that  it  is 
penal  for  other  vessels  to  use  the  head  of  the  wharf.  Being  so  empowered, 
it  would  seem  necessarily  to  draw  after  it  the  power  to  make  such  further 
limitations  to  the  use  of  the  wharf  as  a  public  wharf,  as  would  ensure  the 
successful  use  of  the  part  exclusively  contracted  for,  and  without  which  this 
would  be  imperfect.  This  would,  therefore,  authorize  the  Trustees  to  shut 
up  the  thirty-foot  way  at  the  head  of  the  wharf;  the  language  of  the  Act  is 
broad  enough  to  embrace  it  :  "  The  west  end  of  the  Long  Wharf  in  Newport, 
to  wit,"  across  the  head  thereof,  is  exclusively  appropriated  to  these  steam- 
ers, "  and  the  power  to  contract  with  the  agents  or  owners  for  the  head  of 
the  wharf  as  aforesaid." 

The  Trustees  are  the  legal  owners  of  the  wharf  in  question,  not  only 
having  the  right  as  wharf  owners,  but  by  the  Act  of  their  appointment,  it 
is  their  duty  to  collect  wharfage  on  wood  and  any  other  goods  that  are 
landed  on  it,  whether  they  belong  to  the  State,  to  the  City,  or  to  individuals. 
They  have  the  same  right  over  the  wharf,  and  its  use  within  the.  conditions 
contained  in  the  Act  appointing  them,  and  subsequent  Acts  of  the  Legisla- 
ture, as  other  wharf  owners  have  over  their  wharves. 

Between  February,  1803,  and  February,  1805,  deeds  were  made  by  the 
Treasurer  of  the  Trustees,  of  lots  on  the  north  side  of  the  wharf  west  of 
Gravelly  Point,  by  virtue  of  a  Resolution  of  the  Assembly,  February,  1803. 
The  resolution  is  in  the  handwriting  of  John  L.  Boss,  Jr.,  Clerk  of  the 
House,  but  there  is  no  petition  on  file,  nor  is  it  referred  to. 


96  APPENDIX   C. 

We  now  continue  the  report  from  the  Record. 

1860.  April  10.  —  At  the  annual  meeting  the  officers  of  the  last  year  were 
all  re-elected. 

1861.  April  II.  —  At  the  annual   meeting  the  officers  of  the  past  year 
were  all  re-elected. 

Voted,  To  remit  the  wharfage  bill  against  ship  Mechanic,  in  consequence 
of  injury  sustained  by  that  vessel  while  laying  at  the  wharf. 

May  23. —  At  a  special  meeting,  C.  Devens,  chairman, 

It  was  Voted,  That  a  petition  be  presented  to  the  General  Assembly  at  the 
May  session,  asking  for  power  to  lease  the  Long  Wharf,  and  dock  adjoining, 
to  any  railroad  company  which  may  build  a  railroad  from  Fall  River  to  New- 
port. W.  C.  Cozzens  and  D.  G.  Cook  were  appointed  a-  committee  to  make 
such  alterations  as  may  be  desirable  to  the  petition  read  before  the  meeting 
and  to  present  the  same  to  the  General  Assembly. 

1862.  January   18.  —  At   a  meeting,   William   C.   Cozzens,    Chairman, 
Benjamin  Finch,  as  President  of  the  Newport  &  Fall  River  Railroad  Company, 
presented  a  communication  asking  the  terms  for  a  long  lease  of  the  wharf  to 
the  Railroad  Company  ;  whereupon  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  wharf  be  leased  at  $1400  per  annum  on  a  long  lease,  the 
Railroad  Company  to  keep  it  in  repair  and  pay  all  expenses,  with  leave  to 
enlarge  the  wharf  as  they  may  think  proper. 

R.  Sherman,  S.  Engs  and  S.  Brown  were  appointed  the  committee.  John 
Stevens  was  elected  Secretary  and  Treasurer  for  the  remainder  of  the  year  in 
place  of  Robert  P.  Lee,  deceased,  at  the  salary  of  the  former  Secretary  and 
Treasurer,  pro  rata.  The  Treasurer  is  directed  to  deposit  the  funds,  now  on 
hand,  in  the  Savings  Bank,  if  interest  will  be  allowed  from  to-day.  $50  to 
be  allowed  the  heirs  of  R.  P.  Lee,  as  his  portion  of  the  salary  for  the  year. 
Capt.  Charles  E.  Hammett  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  the  place  of  R.  P.  Lee, 
deceased. 

April  14.  —  At  the  annual  meeting,  B.  Finch,  Chairman,  and  J.  Stevens, 
Secretary.  D.  G.  Cook  was  elected  Chairman  and  J.  Stevens,  Secretary  and 
Treasurer.  .  The  Committee  on  Repairs  of  last  year  and  the  Auditors  were 
re-elected.  The  Treasurer  presented  his  account,  in  which  he  credits  $1210.- 
89  as  the  balance  received  from  the  administrator  of  R.  P.  Lee,  deceased, 
late  Treasurer,  and  continues  the  account  to  this  date,  showing  a  balance  in 
his  hands  of  $108.69  now  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Stevens,  due  the  Trust. 

A  verbal  report  was  made  by  the  Committee  to  lease  the  Long  Wharf,  that 


LONG   WHARF.  97 

the  lease  had  been  drawn  but  not  yet  executed,  being  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
Railroad  Company  for  consideration;  subsequently  the  lease  being  duly  exe- 
cuted, a  copy  of  it  is  herewith  presented,  as  follows  : 


COPY  OF  LEASE  OF  LONG  WHARF,  NEWPORT, 

TO 

NEWPORT    &   FALL   RIVER  RAILROAD    COMPANY. 
JUNE  5,  1862. 


Whereas,  The  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  Rhode  Island  and  Provi- 
dence Plantations,  at  their  May  Session,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty- 
one,  passed  a  certain  act,  a  portion  whereof  is  in  the  words  and  figures 
following,  namely,  "  It  is  enacted  by  the  General  Assembly,  as  follows: 

"SECTION  1st.  The  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf  in  Newport  are  hereby 
authorized  to  make  and  execute  a  lease  of  the  exclusive  use  of  their  Wharf 
and  Docks  in  Newport  for  such  time,  and  upon  such  terms  and  conditions  as 
they  may  think  proper,  to  any  Railroad  Corporation  which  may  construct  a 
Railroad  from  Newport  to  Fall  River." 

"  And  Whereas,  At  a  meeting  of  said  Trustees  of  Long  Wharf  and  Free 
School,  held  at  Newport,  in  the  State  aforesaid,  on  Saturday,  January  the. 
eighteenth,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  it  was  voted  as  follows  : 

"  That  the  Wharf  be  leased  at  fourteen  hundred  dollars  per  annum,  on  a 
long  lease,  and  that  a  committee  of  three  be  appointed  to  make  a  contract  for 
a  long  lease  to  the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad  Company  ;  the  Railroad 
to  keep  it  in  repair  and  pay  all  expenses,  with  leave  to  enlarge  the  Wharf  as 
they  may  think  proper.  Robert  Sherman,  Samuel  Engs,  and  Samuel  Brown, 
to  be  the  Committee." 

Now,  therefore,  this  Indenture,  made  at  Newport,  in  the  County  of  New- 
port and  State  of  Rhode  Island,  aforesaid,  on  the  fifth  day  of  June,  A.  D. 
eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two,  by  and  between  the  Trustees  of  the  Long 
Wharf  and  Free  School  aforesaid,  by  Robert  Sherman,  Samuel  Engs,  and 
Samuel  Brown,  a  committee  duly  authorized  and  appointed  for  this  purpose, 
as  aforesaid,  of  the  first  part,  and  the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad 
Company,  a  Corporation  legally  created  by  act  of  the  General  Assembly  of 


98  APPENDIX   C. 

our  said  State  of  Rhode  Island,  of  the  second  part,  Witnesseth,  That  said 
parties  of  the  first  part,  for  and  in  consideration  of  the  rents  and  covenants 
herein  reserved  and  contained,  on  the  part  of  said  parties  of  the  second  part, 
to  be  paid  and  performed,  do  hereby  demise,  lease,  and  to  farm  let,  unto  said 
parties  of  the  second  part,  the  exclusive  use  of  said  Long  Wharf  and  the 
Docks  thereof,  and  all  the  right,  title,  and  interest  of  said  parties  of  the  first 
part  in  and  to  the  same  premises,  with  full  leave,  liberty,  and  privilege  to 
enlarge  said  Wharf,  at  the  cost  of  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  in  any 
manner  and  to  any  extent  in  or  to  which  it  would  be  lawful  for  said  parties 
of  the  first  part,  at  any  time  hereafter,  if  this  lease  had  not  been  made,  to 
enlarge  the  same. 

To  have  and  to  hold  said  premises,  with  the  appurtenances  thereof,  unto 
said  parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors  and  assigns,  for  and  during 
the  term  of  one  hundred  years  from  the  first  day  of  July,  A.  D.  eighteen 
hundred  and  sixty-two,  with  the  privilege  and  right,  to  said  parties  of  the 
second  part,  their  successors  and  assigns,  at  their  own  option  to  renew  said 
lease,  at  the  expiration  of  the  term  aforesaid,  for  the  further  term  of  one 
hundred  years,  at  the  same  rent  and  upon  the  same  conditions  herein  reserved 
and  contained ;  yielding  and  paying  therefor,  during  said  term,  the  annual 
rent  of  one  thousand  and  four  hundred  dollars ,  in  equal  quarterly  payments  in 
each  and  every  year  of  said  term,  the  first  of  which  payments  is  to  be  made  on 
the  first  day  of  October,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred  and  sixty-two. 

Provided,  That  if  said  rent,  or  any  part  thereof,  shall  be  behind  and 
unpaid  on  any  day  of  payment,  as  hereinbefore  specified,  and  shall  remain 
unpaid  for  the  space  of  six  calendar  months  thereafter ;  or  if  default  shall  be 
made  in  any  of  the  covenants,  on  the  part  of  said  parties  of  the  second  part 
herein  contained,  and  such  default  shall  continue  for  the  space  of  six  calendar 
months,  then  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  or  their  successors,  may,  at  their 
option,  and  without  previous  notice,  or  demand,  determine  this  lease,  and 
re-enter  upon  said  demised  premises,  and  the  same  repossess  as  of  their  former 
estate. 

And  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  for  themselves,  their  successors,  and 
assigns,  do  covenant  with  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  and  their  successors, 
in  manner  following,  namely  : 

That  they,  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors  and  assigns, 
shall  and  will  pay  the  rent  aforesaid,  in  manner  aforesaid  ;  And  will,  at  their 
own  cost,  at  all  times  during  the  continuance  of  this  lease,  keep  said  demised 
premises,  and  all  enlargements  and  additions  thereto,  which  may  be  here- 
after made,  in  good,  sound,  and  serviceable  repair.  And  will,  yearly,  and 


LONG  WHARF.       .  99 

every  year  during  the  continuance  of  this  lease,  pay  and  discharge  all  taxes, 
assessments,  and  levies,  which,  at  any  time  during  said  period,  shall  be  law- 
fully taxed,  assessed,  or  imposed  on  said  premises,  or  on  any  part  thereof, 
or  on  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  or  their  successors,  on  account  of  the 
same.  And  will  pay  all  expenses,  costs,  and  charges,  of  every  kind  whatso- 
ever, incident  to  the  ownership  of  said  premises,  or  which  said  parties  of  the 
first  part  would  themselves  otherwise  be  bound  and  liable  to  pay.  And  will 
always,  during  said  term,  light  said  wharf,  in  the  night  time,  with  gas  lights 
(or  with  such  other  lighting  apparatus  and  material  as  for  the  time  being 
may  from  time  to  time  be  found  most  proper  and  advantageous)  from  Thames 
Street  down  to  the  west  end  of  said  Wharf,  to  an  equal  degree  and  to  the 
same  extent,  in  all  respects,  as  said  wharf  has  heretofore  been  lighted  by 
said  parties  of  the  first  part,  or  by  their  tenants. 

Provided,  That  whenever,  hereafter,  some  other  convenient  and  commodious 
street  or  way  shall  be  provided  and  established  for  public  travel  to  and  from 
the  premises  hereby  demised,  then 'such  street  or  way  shall  be  lighted  by  said 
parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors  and  assigns,  in  manner  as  aforesaid, 
and  the  obligation  to  light  said  wharf,  as  above  said,  shall  cease  and 
determine. 

And  will,  at  the  end  of  said  term  or  of  the  renewal  thereof,  or  other  sooner 
termination  of  this  lease,  peaceably  surrender  said  demised  premises  to  said 
parties  of  the  first  part,  or  their  successors,  in  good  order  and  repair. 

And  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  for  themselves  and  their  successors,  do 
hereby  covenant  and  agree  to  and  with  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  their 
successors  and  assigns,  as  follows  : 

That  they,  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  may,  at  any  time  during  the 
continuance  of  this  lease,  enlarge  said  wharf  hereby  demised,  at  the  cost  of 
them,  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  in  any  manner  and  to  any  extent,  in  or  to 
which  said  parties  of  the  first  part,  as  the  owners  and  occupiers  of  said 
premises,  might  lawfully  enlarge  the  same. 

That  they,  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  their  successors  or  assigns,  shall, 
if  they  so  devise,  renew  this  lease  for  a  second  term  of  one  hundred  years,  as 
hereinbefore  provided  and  set  forth. 

And  that  they,  said  parties  of  the  second  part,  performing  their  covenants 
herein  contained,  and  paying  the  rent  as  aforesaid,  shall  and  may  lawfully, 
quietly,  and  peaceably  hold  and  occupy  said  afore  demised  premises  for  and 
during  said  term  of  one  hundred  years,  and  for  and  during  the  renewal  hereof, 
herein  provided,  without  lawful  let  or  hindrance  of  any  person  whatever. 

In  witness  whereof,  said  parties  of  the  first  part  have  caused  these  presents 
34 


100  .       APPENDIX   C. 

to  be  executed  by  their  Committee  aforesaid ;  and  said  parties  of  the  second 
part  have  caused  their  President,  Benjamin  Finch,  to  affix  their  corporate 
seal  hereunto  and  to  subscribe  his  name  hereunto  for  the  perfect  execution 
hereof,  on  this  fifth  day  of  June,  A.  D.  eighteen  hundred  sixty-two. 

ROBT  SHERMAN,  )  [L.  s.] 

SAMUEL  ENGS,       >  Committee.     [L.  s.J 
SAM.  BROWN,        )  [L.S.] 

Executed  and  delivered  in  > 
presence  of  $ 

FRANCIS  B.  PECKHAM,  JR. 

NEWPORT  &  FALL  RIVER  RAILROAD  Co. 

By  BENJ.  FINCH,  President. 

STATE  OF  RHODE  ISLAND,  &c.  > 
Newport,  ss.  $ 

NEWPORT,  June  5th,  1862. 

Personally  appeared  the  aforenamed  Robert  Sherman,  Samuel  Engs,  and 
Samuel  Brown,  and  acknowledged  the  foregoing  instrument  to  be  the  free 
act  and  deed  of  themselves,  and  of  the  Trustees  of  the  Long  Wharf  and  Free 
School  in  Newport. 

Also  personally  appeared  the  aforenamed  Benjamin  Finch,  President  of 
the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad  Company,  and  acknowledged  said 
instrument  to  be  the  free  act  and  deed  of  said  Railroad  Company. 

Before  me, 

FRANCIS  B.  PECKHAM,  JR., 

Justice  of  Peace. 

April  14.  —  Seth  W.  Macy  was  elected  a  Trustee  in  place  of  Peleg  Clarke, 
deceased. 

Voted,  That  a  committee  be  appointed  to  purchase  a  suitable  lot  for  a  new 
school  house,  to  be  erected  in  the  First  Ward  by  the  Long  Wharf  Trustees ; 
that  said  Committee  confer  with  the  Joint  Committee  of  the  City  and  School 
Committee  as  to  the  location  of  said  lot,  and  invite  them  to  furnish  plans  of  a 
school  house  such  as  they  would  approve. 

Samuel  Engs,  Robert  Sherman  and  David  J.  Gould  were  appointed  the 
committee  and  authorized  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer  for  the  amount  required 
to  pay  for  the  lot,  and  when  purchased  they  are  requested  to  report  to  the 
Trustees  with  such  plans  for  the  proposed  building  as  they  may  obtain  from 
the  Joint  Committee  before  mentioned. 


LONG.  WHARF.  101 

May  20. —  At  a  special  meeting  of  the  Trustees,  the  Commiteee  appointed 
in  relation  to  the  proposed  new  school  house,  to  be  erected  in  the  First  Ward, 
made  a  report,  stating  that  they  had  purchased  a  lot  100  feet  square,  on  the 
corner  of  third  and  Willow  Street  for  $850,  and  had  paid  for  the  same  ;  they 
also  presented  plans  and  drawings  of  a  school  house,  together  with  a  letter 
from  George  C.  Mason,  in  which  he  estimates  the  cost  of  such  a  building  at 
$9,000.  Mr.  Finch  offered  the  following  resolution,  which  was  passed. 

Voted,  That  the  plans  for  a  school  house,,  drawn  by  George  C.  Mason  and 
approved  by  the  Committee,  be  adopted,  and  that  the  same  Committee  be 
continued  in  power,  and  they  are  requested  to  have  specifications  drawn  in 
accordance  therewith,  and  that  they  advertise  in  the  newspapers,  inviting 
sealed  proposals  for  building  said  school  house,  and  when  such  proposals  are 
received  they  are  to  be  opened  and  read  only  in  the  presence  of  the  Trustees, 
at  a  meeting  to  be  called  by  the  Committee  for  that  purpose. 

John  Stevens  was  re-appointed  Wharfinger  until  the  lease  of  the  Long 
Wharf  to  the  Railroad  Company  goes  into  effect. 

June  26.  —  At  a  special  meeting,  the  committee  appointed  in  relation  to 
the  proposed  new  school  house  in  the  First  Ward,  presented  the  proposals 
which  had  been  received,  and  were  opened  in  the  presence  of  the'Trustees. 
After  debate  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  proposals  be  returned  to  the  Committee  as  being  entirely 
above  our  means,  and  that  they  be  required  to  ascertain  from  the  architect 
in  what  manner  the  cost  of  the  building  can  be  reduced  to  a  sum  not  exceed- 
ing $11,000,  to  include  heating  apparatus  for  the  house,  desks,  desk-seats, 
grading  and  fencing  the  ground,  and  everything  complete  for  the  reception  of 
the  scholars,  also  to  include  lightning  rods. 

1862.  July  3. —  At  a  Special  Meeting,  D.  G.  Cook,  Chairman,  a  Report 
was  made  from  the  Committee  in  relation  to  the  proposed  new  School  House, 
with  reduced  estimates,  but  still  showing  that  the  house  could  not  be  built 
upon  anything  near  the  original  plan,  even  with  the  reduction  proposed,  for 
much,  if  anything,  less  than  $13,000,  to  cover  every  expense.  Mr.  G.  C. 
Mason  being  present,  explained  what  the  proposed  reductions  would  do 
towards  lessening  the  cost,  and  stated  that  he  expected  some  further  pro- 
posals from  New  York  ;  and  it  was  stated  by  the  Committee  that  another 
proposal,  for  the  whole  building  complete,  might  be  expected  to  be  made,  in 
addition  to  the  proposals  already  received,  and  which  have  been  to-day  laid 
before  the  meeting.  On  motion  of  Robert  Sherman,  it  was 

Voted,  That  the  School  House  shall  be  built  in  accordance  with  the  reduced 


102  APPENDIX   C. 

plan  presented,  provided  the  whole  expense  does  not  exceed  $13,000,  to  in- 
clude everything  required  to  make  it  complete  in  all  respects. 

That  this  meeting  will  adjourn  to  meet  again  on  Wednesday  next,  July  9, . 
at  3  P.  M.,  to  hear  the  Report  of  the  Committee,  as  to  any  additional  pro- 
posals to  build  the  School  House,  and  also  as  to  whether  a  loan  from  any 
bank  in  this  city  can  be  obtained,  of  the  amount  required  to  complete  the 
building,  upon  a  pledge  of  the  property,  together  with  the  rent  arising  from 
the  lease  of  the  Long  Wharf  to  the  Newport  and  Fall  River  Railroad  Co. 

July  9. —  At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Trustees,  a  written  report  was 
made  by  the  Building  Committee,  showing  the  various  proposals  which  had 
been  made  under  the  reduced  estimates,  whereupon  it  was 

Resolved,  That  the  Building  Committee  be,  and  they  are  hereby,  author- 
ized to  contract  with  Philip  Simmons  to  build  the  proposed  School  House, 
in  accordance  with  the  plans  and  specifications  adopted  by  the  Trustees,  for 
a  sum  not  exceeding  $11,900  ;  and  to  contract  for  the  heating  and  providing 
desks  and  seats  for  said  School  House,  on  the  most  favorable  terms. 

Voted,  That  Samuel  Engs,  David  J.  Gould,  and  Robert  Sherman,  be  the 
Building  Committee,  and  they  are  hereby  authorized  to  make  all  contracts 
and  terms  of  payment,  and  to  draw  on  the  Treasurer,  from  time  to  time,  for 
such  sums  of  money  as  may  be  necessary  to  fulfil  the  contracts,  and  for 
other  purposes  connected  therewith. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be  hereby  authorized  to  withdraw  from  the 
Savings  Bank  the  amount  realized  from  the  sale  of  the  old  Long  Wharf  Free 
School  House,  and  its  accumulations,  which  are  now  on  special  deposit  in 
the  Savings  Bank,  and  to  apply  the  same,  and  other  funds  in  said  Savings 
Bank,  towards  the  building  of  the  new  School  House. 

Voted,  That  the  Treasurer  be,  and  he  is  hereby,  empowered  and  authorized 
to  hire,  on. account  of  the  Trustees,  such  sum  or  sums  of  money  as  may  be 
necessary,  after  using  the  funds  now  on  hand,  or  belonging  to  the  Trustees, 
to  pay  the  orders  of  the  Building  Committee,  and  to  give  his  note  or  notes 
therefor. 

Voted,  That  the  Chairman  and  William  0.  Cozzens  be  a  Committee  to 
arrange  for  an  address.,  containing  an  historical  account  of  the  Long 
Wharf  and  its  Free  School,  to  be  delivered  at  the  dedication  of  the  new 
School  House. 

The  Chairman  reported  that  he  had  prevailed  upon  Governor  Win.  C. 
Cozzens,  to  deliver  an  address  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  new 
School  House,  and  that  he  had  prepared  an  abstract  from  the  records,  to  be 
printed  with  the  address  as  an  appendix. 


LONG   WHARF.  103 

1863.  April  13.  —  At  the  Annual  Meeting,  David  G.  Cook  was  elected 
Chairman  for  the  ensuing  year  ;  John  Stevens,  Secretary  and  Treasurer;  D. 
G.  Cook  and  Robert  Sherman,  Auditors.  Charles  E.  Haminett,  Jr.,  was 
elected  a  Trustee,  in  place  of  Joseph  Paddock,  deceased. 

The  Building  Committee  made  a  verbal  report,  that  the  School  House  was 
nearly  completed,  with  the  exception  of  the  desks  and  seats,  and  they  were 
authorized  and  requested,  in  concert  with  the  Committee  appointed  July  9, 
1862,  to  arrange  for  an  address  to  be  delivered  on  the  occasion  of  the  dedica- 
tion, and  to  make  all  necessary  arrangements  for  the  dedication,  to  take 
place  about  the  20th  of  May.  The  said  Committee"1  to  cause  five  hundred 
copies  of  the  proceedings  at  the  dedication,  together  with  an  abstract  from 
the  records,  to  be  published.  Charles  E.  Hammett,  Jr.,  was  added  to  this 
Committee. 

The  Treasurer's  account  for  the  year  was  presented,  received,  and  accepted, 
showing  a  balance  of  forty  cents  in  his  hands,  and  an  overdraft  on  the  R.  I. 
Union  Bank  of  $1,211.82. 

Adjourned. 

At  a  Special  Meeting  of  the  Trustees,  on  Wednesday,  May  20,  1863,  at 
2.30  o'clock  P.  M.,  at  the  New  School  House,  previous  to  the  dedication 
services,  it  was — 

Voted  and  resolved.  That  Governor  William  C.  Cozzens  be  and  he  is  hereby 
authorized  and  requested,  in  his  address,  to  make  a  formal  presentation  to  the 
Mayor  and  City  Council,  of  the  possession,  use,  and  occupancy  of  the  New 
School  House  recently  erected  on  Third  and  Willow  Street  for  a  Public 
School  of  the  City  of  Newport ;  the  said  building  to  continue  under  their 
entire  control  so  long  as  the  said  city  authorities  shall  maintain  a  Public 
School  therein. 

Voted  and  resolved,  That  David  G.  Cook,  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, is  hereby  authorized  and  requested  to  present  to  the  Mayor  of  the  City 
of  Newport  the  keys  of  the  said  School  House. 

Voted,  That  a  marble  tablet,  containing  the  names  of  the  present  Trustees, 
be  placed  on  the  wall  of  the  New  School  House,  together  with  the  names  of 
the  Committee,  the  Architect,  and  Builders,  with  date  of  its  erection  ;  and 
that  Benjamin  Finch  and  William  C.  .Cozzens  be  a  Committee  to  attend  to  it. 

Voted,  That  this  Board  now  adjourn  to  attend  the  dedication  services. 


104 


APPENDIX    C. 


NAMES  OF  TRUSTEES  OF  THE  LONG  WHARF  FROM 
1795  TO   1862. 

The  first  ninety-six  were    appointed   by  the   General   Assembly  of  Rhode  Island. 
All  others  were  appointed  by  the  Board  at  their  Annual  or  Special  Meetings. 


Appointed. 
January,  1795. 


Names. 

Henry  Marchant, 

George  Gibbs, 

George  Champlin, 

Christopher  Champlin, 
James  Robinson, 
Peleg  Clarke, 
Henry  Sherburne, 
John  Bours, 
Oliver  Warner, 
John  Handy, 
Francis  Malbone, 
Daniel  Mason, 
Ethan  Clarke, 
Christopher  Fowler, 
Simeon  Martin, 
Thomas  Dennis, 
John  L.  Boss, 
Samuel  Vernon,  Jr. 
Christopher  Ellery, 
Christopher  G.  Champlin, 
"William  Ellery,  Jr. 
Daniel  Lyman, 
Isaac  Senter, 
Benjamin  Mason, 
Aaron  Sheffield, 
William  Littlefield, 
Silas  Dean, 
Audley  Clarke, 
Constant  Taber, 
Caleb  Gardner, 
Nathan  Bebee, 
Moses  Seixas, 


Died,  resigned,  or  removed. 
died,  August  30,  1796. 
removed  July,  1811,  f  m  t'n. 
died  July  8,  1811. 
died  April  25,  1805. 
resigned  August  14,  1814. 
died  December  3,  1803. 
resigned  July  8,  1807. 
resigned  July  8,  1807. 
died  November,  1799. 
resigned  July  8,  1807. 
died  July  8,  181.1. 
died  September  24,  1797. 
died  September  30,  1833. 
died  April  12,  1830. 
resigned  October  11,  1819. 
resigned  April  10,  1813. 
died  October  11,  1824. 
died  April  13,  1835. 
died  December  2,  1840. 
resigned  July  8,  1811. 
resigned  April  10,  1811. 
rem'dfm  town  July  8, 1811. 
died  Dec.  20,  1799. 
died. 

died  Octocer  4,  1796, 
died  November  21,  1822. 
died  October  11,  1819. 
died  April  15,  1844. 
died  February  15,  1827. 
died  October  26,  1806. 
died  in  Nantucket. 
died  July  8,  1811. 


TRUSTEES. 


105 


Appointed. 
January,  1795. 


July  8,  1811. 

July  11,  1811. 
August  19,  1814. 
April  10,  1815. 


July  10,  1815. 
October  11,  1816. 
October  11,  1819. 

January  10,  1820. 
January  8,  1821. 
ii 

January  7,  1822. 
ii 

July  14,  1823. 
October  11,  1824. 
April  10,  1826. 
April  9,  1827. 
April  12,  1827. 
April  14,  1828. 
April  13,  1829.% 


July  13,  1829. 
April  12,  1830. 
April  11,  1831. 


Names, 

Nicholas  Taylor, 
Walter  Channing, 
Archibald  Crary, 
Robert  Rogers, 
Christopher  Rhodes, 
William  Engs, 
William  Mar  chant, 
Stephen  T.  Northam, 
Jonathan  Bowen, 
Robert  Robinson, 
Edward  Martin, 
Gilbert  Chace, 
John  G.  Whitehorne, 
William  Ennis, 
Benjamin  Hadwen, 
John  R.  Sherman, 
William  C.  Gardner, 
William  Hunter, 
Lewis  Rousmaniere, 
George  Engs, 
S.  Fowler  Gardner, 
Stephen  Gould, 
Benjamin  Pierce, 
James  Stevens, 
Nathaniel  S.  Ruggles, 
Edward  W.  Lawton, 
Robert  Stevens,  Jr. 
David  King, 
Nicholas  G.  Boss, 
Richard  K.  Randolph, 
David  M.  Coggeshall, 
James  B.  Phillips, 
Henry  Bull, 
Stephen  Bowen, 
Thomas  Bush, 
John  Stevens, 
George  Bowen, 
Samuel  Allen, 
Richard  K;  Randolph, 
Isaiah  Crocker, 


Died,  resigned,  or  removed, 
died  April  13,  1829. 
rem'd  i" m  town  July,  1815. 
died  in  New  York, 
died  September  14,  1835. 
resigned  April  10,  1815. 
resigned  April  10,  1815. 
resigned  August  19,  1814. 
died  April  10,  1856. 
rem'd fm  t'n  Apr.  13,  1829. 
died  April  13,  1829. 
resigned  January  7,  1822. 
died  January  10,  1820. 
resigned  April  10,  1826. 
died  April  9,  1832. 
died  January  10,  1837. 
resigned  January  8,  1821. 
resigned  January  7,  1822. 
rem'd  f  m  t'n  Apr.  10,  1826. 
died  July  10,  1820. 
died  April  12,  1847. 
died  August  2,  1845. 
rem'd  f  m  t'n  Apr.  13, 1829. 
died  July  14,  1823. 
rem'd  fm  t'n  Apr.  14,  1828. 
died  April  12,  1847. 

resigned  April  11,  1842. 
died  January  10,  1837. 
died  January  10,  1837. 
removed  from  town, 
died  October  10,  1847. 
died  April  8,  1833. 
resigned  April,  1831. 
died  July  13,  1829. 
died  April  10,  1848. 


resigned  April  12,  1855. 
died  April  18,  1849. 


106 


APPENDIX   C. 


Appointed. 
April  9,  1832. 
April  8,  1833. 
September  14,  1835. 
January  10,  1837. 


April  11,  1842. 
April  15,  1844. 

April  21,  1845. 

July,  14,  1846. 

April  12,  1847. 

« 

October  10,  1847. 
April  10,  1848. 
April  18,  1849. 

April  12,  1855. 
April  10,  1856. 

January  18,  1862. 
April  14,  1862. 
April  13,  1863. 


Names. 

George  C.  Mason, 
John  V.  Hammett, 
Robert  P.  Lee, 
Benjamin  Finch, 
Samuel  Barker, 
"William  Sherman, 
Samuel  Engs, 
Peleg  Clarke, 
Benjamin  A.  Mason, 
George  G.  King, 
William  C.  Cozzens, 
John  D.  Northam, 
David  G.  Cook, 
Samuel  Brown, 
Christopher  G.  Perry, 
Charles  Devens, 
Robert -Sherman,  2d, 
Robert  S.  Barker, 
David  J.  Gould, 
Samuel  Allen,  Jr. 
Joseph  Paddock,  Jr. 
Charles  E.  Hammett, 
Seth  W.  Macy, 
Charles  E.  Hammett,  Jr. 


Died,  resigned,  or  removed, 
died  Dec.  23,  1843. 

died  June,  1861. 
died  April  12,  1855. 


died  March,  1862. 
removed  from  town. 


died  April  12,  1855. 
died  April,  1863. 


died  March,  1863. 


I 


YC  56022 


M185459 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


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